Goods exports recorded growth in August, supporting a picture of stable export expansion for the year as a whole. Export performance continued to be driven by growing external demand and the ability of businesses to adapt to changing conditions.
In August, the value of goods exports at current prices was 2.5% higher than a year earlier. Meanwhile, imports declined by 1.6%, and the trade deficit amounted to 7% year-on-year.
Overall, in the first eight months of 2025, goods exports at current prices were 3.7% higher than in the same period last year, while goods imports increased by 6.8% over the same period.
On an annual basis, the export value of mineral products, road vehicles, wood and articles of wood, as well as milk and dairy products increased significantly. At the same time, the export value of cereals and other chemical products declined.
In August 2025, compared with August of the previous year, exports to EU countries increased by 3.7%. Export values rose most sharply to Lithuania (vehicles, dairy products), Estonia (mineral products), the Czech Republic (dairy products, wood), and Spain (cereals). Meanwhile, export values declined to Finland (wood) and Sweden (mixed chemical products, wood).
Exports to CIS countries decreased by 0.3%. Exports declined to Kazakhstan (electrical equipment, machinery) but increased to Russia (footwear, beverages). A significant share of exports to Russia continues to consist of various alcoholic beverages.
In August, exports to other countries remained at a level similar to that of a year earlier. The export value of mineral products increased significantly to Nigeria, and more moderately to Argentina. Exports also rose to Namibia (cereals), while declining to Ukraine (unspecified goods), Norway (iron and steel products), and Senegal (cereals).
On a year-on-year basis in August, import growth was driven by higher import values of electrical equipment, machinery, and vehicles, while imports of mineral products decreased.