Romania’s trade gap is widening, but the problem is its structure
Romania’s deficit of the trade in goods has widened by 18.4% y/y to EUR 8.4 billion in Q3 as the imports (+4.9% y/y) are stimulated by private and public demand while the exports (+0.7% y/y) dwindle amid problematic industrial development…
iulian ernst · Journalist
· Updated · 2 min read
Romania’s deficit of the trade in goods has widened by 18.4% y/y to EUR 8.4 billion in Q3 as the imports (+4.9% y/y) are stimulated by private and public demand while the exports (+0.7% y/y) dwindle amid problematic industrial development and consumer confidence in Europe.
The 18.4% y/y advance looks impressive, but it’s more of an effect of volatility, while deeper concerns are related to the structure of the trade deficit. Romania is increasingly importing consumer and hopefully investment goods, but it fails to develop value-added or export-driven industries, thus remaining linked to the activity of the major industrial groups.
