Kosovo’s trade deficit deepened in January, hitting €414.1 million—a 29.6% jump from last year. Imports soared while exports stalled, raising concerns over the country’s growing reliance on foreign goods.
New figures from Kosovo’s Statistics Agency reveal that imports hit €473.8 million, up a massive 24.7%, while exports dipped 1.1% to €59.7 million.
EU still in the driving seat
Kosovo’s top trade partners remain Germany, Italy, and Greece, with EU imports at €204.5 million, up 24.4%. Exports to the bloc climbed 22.3% to €22.5 million, but the gap is still huge.
CEFTA and Asia step up
Trade with CEFTA nations—led by North Macedonia and Albania—grew, with exports up 10.8% and imports soaring 45.1% to €83.6 million.
Meanwhile, Turkey and China flooded the market, pushing imports from non-EU and CEFTA countries to €185.7 million.
Despite strong exports to Switzerland and the U.S. (€13.1 million), Kosovo remains deep in the red. With imports rising fast, can the country close the gap?
