Malta Balance of Trade

Last Release

Jan 31, 2025

Actual

-296,853

Units In

EUR Thousand

-341,902

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Apr 09, 2025

Time to Release

26 Days 12 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
301,100 Sep 2024	-878,623 Jul 2022	-151,463.97 EUR Thousand	1996-2025	N/A

Malta enjoys a favorable geographic position and large deposits of limestone, which contribute to the strength its export sector. As an island, Malta produces only around 20% of its food necessities, has limited access to fresh water and lacks energy sources. Due to this mix of factors, the economy of Malta is very dependent on foreign trade. Malta mostly exports electrical machinery, mechanical appliances, fish and crustaceans, pharmaceutical producuts and printed material. On the other hand, Malta is a net importer of mineral fuels and oils, non-electrical machinery, aircraft and other transport equipment, plastic and other semi-manufactured goods, food, drink and tobacco. Malta adopted the Euro in 2008, highlighting the status of the European Union as its most important trading partner, having vast trade flows specifically with Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Latest Updates

Malta’s trade deficit narrowed to EUR 296.9 million in January 2025 from EUR 303.6 million in the same month a year earlier. Exports fell by 2.2% year-on-year to EUR 350.8 million, attributed mainly to lower sales of animal and vegetable oils and fats (-96.6%), food (-41%), crude materials (-28.4%), and machinery and transport equipment (-23.8%). Meanwhile, imports also decreased by 2.2% to EUR 647.7 million, primarily due to reduced purchases of crude materials (-31.9%), beverages and tobacco (-29.9%), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (-21.1%).