Brussels: The euro area reported a £14.2 billion ($16.4 billion) international trade surplus in goods for July, while the European Union (EU) recorded a £10.7 billion surplus, according to official figures.

According to Anadolu Agency, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world reached £276 billion in July, reflecting a 9% increase compared with £253.3 billion in the same month of the previous year. Imports from the rest of the world were valued at £261.8 billion, marking a 7.9% rise from £242.6 billion in July 2025. This growth was mainly driven by a higher surplus in chemicals and related products, other manufactured goods, and food and drink, although a decreased surplus in machinery and vehicles partially offset this increase.

In the first seven months of the year, the euro area recorded a surplus of £17 billion, a significant drop from the £92.8 billion surplus in the January-July period of 2025. Euro area exports rose to £1.76 trillion, a 1.2% increase compared to the first seven months of 2025, while imports grew by 5.8% to £1.75 trillion in the same period. Intra-euro area trade also rose by 5% year-on-year to £1.65 trillion from January to July.

Meanwhile, the EU's trade balance showed an £8 billion surplus with the rest of the world in July, a decrease from the £9.8 billion surplus reported in July 2025. Extra-EU exports of goods in July were £247.1 billion, increasing by 7.8% compared to £229.2 billion in July 2025, while imports stood at £239.1 billion, climbing by 9% from £219.5 billion in July 2025. The decline from July 2025 was primarily due to a lower surplus in machinery and vehicles, although higher surpluses in chemicals and related products, food and drink, and a smaller deficit in other manufactured goods partially offset the drop.

During the January-July period, the EU recorded a deficit of £13.8 billion, a stark contrast to the £84 billion surplus from the same period in 2025. Extra-EU exports of goods fell by 0.6% to £1.56 trillion, while imports increased by 5.9% to £1.58 trillion in the first seven months. Intra-EU trade expanded to £2.58 trillion from January to July, marking a 6.1% increase compared to the previous year.