Import Three Times Higher than Export: Moldova’s Trade Deficit Reaches $5.8 Billion

In January-October 2025, the Republic of Moldova’s foreign trade deficit reached $5.8 billion, an increase of 30.3% compared to the same period last year. Over the year, the gap between imports and exports grew by $1.35 billion, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, reports bani.md. In October, exports increased by 23.7% to $409.2 million, but imports grew even faster, by 25.7% to $995.5 million. As a result, the monthly deficit exceeded $586 million, which is more than $125 million higher than a year ago. Overall, exports grew by only 2.9% over ten months, reaching $3.04 billion, while imports jumped by 19.4% to $8.84 billion. The country’s economy imports almost three times more than it exports, and the level of import coverage by exports fell to 34.3%. A significant imbalance also persists in trade with the European Union. Although 68.2% of exports go to the EU, the trade deficit with the community amounted to $2.7 billion – more than $1 billion more than in 2024. Exports are dominated by oilseeds, grains, vegetables, clothing, and cable products. Imports are dominated by energy resources, gas, fuel, vehicles, and industrial equipment. Imports of electricity increased 4.7 times, and gas 2.3 times, mainly due to supplies from Romania, Croatia, and Ukraine. At the same time, supplies to a number of traditional markets fell sharply: exports to Egypt fell by almost 100%, to Poland by 35.7%, the US by 43.6%, to Germany by 20.3%, and to Russia by 11.4%, which significantly weakened the country’s overall export potential.