The Euro Area recorded a trade surplus of €14.2 billion in July 2026, the highest in nine months, up from €10.7 billion in July 2025. This was the largest monthly trade surplus since October 2025, as goods exports surged by 9% to an over 16-month high of €276 billion while imports rose at a slower 7.9% to €261.8 billion. The latest figure represented an improvement of €3.5 billion compared to the same period a year ago, supported primarily by a stronger surplus in chemicals and related products and additional surpluses in other manufactured goods and food and drink, which more than offset a lower surplus in machinery and vehicles. Meanwhile, the energy gap narrowed (€-26.1 billion from €-28 billion). Shipments increased to major trading partners, including the US (10.7%), the UK (3.1%) and Switzerland (14.2%). Imports also rose across the board, particularly from the US (12.6%), and the UK (16.7%), but fell from China (-32.3%).