ROMA (ITALPRESS) – In January 2026 Istat estimates a conjunctural reduction of imports (-1.3%), while exports are almost stationary (-0.1%). The monthly export dynamic is a synthesis of an increase for the EU area (+1.4%) and a decline for the extra EU area (-1.6%).
In the quarter of November 2025-January 2026, compared to the previous one, export is substantially stable (-0.1%); import is reduced by 2.2%. In January 2026 the export flette on an annual basis of 4.6% in value and 5.8% in volume. The trend of export in monetary terms concerns both areas, EU (-3.9%) and extra EU (-5.5%). The import recorded a 7.4% increase in value, which involves the extra EU area (-13.9%), compared to the EU (-2.0%); in volume, imports fell by 2.9%.
Among the sectors that most contribute to the tendential decline of exports are coke and refined petroleum products (-38.2%), machinery and appliances not classified elsewhere (n.c.a) (-7.3%) and food, beverages and tobacco (-9.2%). Only the export of basic metals and metal products, excluding machines and plants (+17.1%), of pharmaceutical, chemical-medicial and botanical products (+5.9%) and, to a limited extent, of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products (+0.8%).
On a yearly basis, the countries most contribute to the decline of exports are France (-7.5%), the United States (-6.7%), Germany (-4.8%) and the United Kingdom (-12.3%). Only direct sales to Switzerland (+15.5%), China (+14.6%) and Austria (+5.1%). The trade balance in January 2026 amounted to +1.089 million euros (-288 million in January 2025). The energy deficit (-3.466 million) is less than one year earlier (-4.693 million). The advance in the exchange of non-energy products rose from +4.404 million January 2025 to +4.556 million January 2026. In January 2026 import prices increased by 0.2% on a monthly basis while they fell by 3.3% on an annual basis (from -3.1% in December 2025).
“In January, the almost conjunctural station of export is a synthesis of contrasting dynamics for the two areas, EU and extra EU, while the reduction of import concerns both – comments Istat -. The annual decline of exports is widespread in almost all sectors and is mainly due to the reduction of sales of refining products, machinery and food, which more than offset the strong increase in sales of metals and pharmaceutical products. The largest tendential drop in import is for more than half due to lower purchases of raw chemicals and oil. The trend of trade with foreign countries, at the beginning of 2026, results in a commercial surplus and a clear reduction of the energy deficit compared to a year earlier. The prices for import mark a moderate increase in economic activity, which contributes to the rise in prices of intermediate goods (especially precious and non-ferrous metals); their tendential decline is slightly expanded.”.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
