North Macedonia Trade Gap Largest in 7 Months

North Macedonia's trade deficit widened notably to $373 million in July 2025, from $332.8 million in the same month of the previous year. This marked the largest trade gap since December 2024, as exports grew by 12.6% year-on-year to $779.4 million, while imports rose at a slightly slower pace of 12.3% to $1,152.3 million. For the January–July period, the country's trade deficit reached $2,152.4 million. Exports increased by 5.4% compared to the same period a year earlier, totaling $5,206.8 million, primarily driven by higher sales of beverages and tobacco (34.4%), animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes (32.4%), and raw materials excluding fuel (10.2%). Meanwhile, imports rose by 4.8% to $7,359.3 million, mainly due to increased purchases of animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes (24.3%), beverages and tobacco (13.9%), and food and live animals (8.3%).