Imports to EU from Western Balkans doubled since 2007 – Macedonia realizes biggest share

Imports to the European Union from the countries of the Western Balkans have more than doubled in 10 years, from nine to 20 billion euros, Eurostat reports.

The exports have also increased, from EUR 18 billion in 2007 to EUR 29 billion in 2017.

Macedonia has the biggest share in the export and the import of products to and from EU members, according to Eurostat.

Last year, Macedonia exported 81% of its total exports to the EU, in the amount of EUR 4 billion.

Albania follows with EUR 1.6 billion in products exported to the EU, making up 77% of the country's total exports, and the third spot belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose exports to the EU made up 71% of its total exports.

The exports of Serbia to the EU amounted to EUR 9.7 billion, making up 68% of its total exports, and Kosovo's export amounted to EUR 94 million, that is, 25% of the country's total exports, Eurostat announced.

The value of the export of Montenegro to the EU was EUR 0.1 billion, making up 35% of the country's total exports.

Macedonia takes the first spot when it comes to imports from the EU as well. Last year, it imported products worth EUR 4.3 billion from EU countries, comprising 63% of its total imports.

Albania imported goods worth EUR 2.9 billion (62%), and B&H imports amounted to EUR 5.7 billion (61%).More than a half of the import of Serbia, 59%, came from EU countries, amounting to EUR 10.3 billion. Kosovo imported EUR 1.3 billion worth of goods, making up 43% of its total imports.

The share of products imported from the EU to Montenegro last year was 47% of the country's total imports and amounted to EUR 1.1 billion.

In 2017, the EU realized a surplus of EUR 9 billion in the trade with the countries of the Western Balkans, 10% more than in 2016.

The biggest surplus of EUR 1.1 billion was realized by Hungary, Greece and Croatia, whereas six countries had a deficit. Sweden had the biggest deficit at EUR 66.4 million.

The biggest exporters to the Balkans countries among EU members were Germany, with 16% of the Union's total exports to the region, and Italy, with 14%. They are followed by Slovenia (10%), Hungary (9%) and Croatia (8%).

Germany and Italy are also the biggest importers from the Balkans, with shares of 23% and 18% in the total import of the EU from the countries of the Balkans. Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia are also on the list of the biggest importers of products from the Western Balkans.

Eurostat Luxembourg

Eurostat

export from the EU

export to the EU

trade between EU and Western Balkans

export from EU to Western Balkans

import of EU from Western Balkans

export

import