Friday, 7 August 2026
The Czech Republic recorded a trade surplus of CZK 15.5 billion in June 2026, as stronger exports of motor vehicles, machinery and electricity were offset by a widening deficit in electronics and energy imports, according to preliminary data released by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO).
Although the country’s external trade balance remained in positive territory, the surplus was CZK 11.5 billion lower than in June 2025.
The automotive sector continued to be the main contributor to the trade balance. The surplus in motor vehicles increased by CZK 3.8 billion compared with a year earlier, reflecting the continued strength of Czech automotive manufacturing and exports. Trade in electricity also improved, with the surplus rising by CZK 2.8 billion, while machinery and equipment contributed an additional CZK 2.7 billion to the overall balance.
However, these gains were more than offset by weaker performance in several import-intensive sectors. The trade deficit in computer, electronic and optical products widened by CZK 6.9 billion, representing the largest negative contribution to the monthly result. The deficit in crude petroleum and natural gas increased by CZK 4.2 billion, while the surplus in other transport equipment declined by CZK 4.1 billion.
Trade with the European Union remained comparatively resilient. The Czech Republic’s surplus with EU Member States increased by CZK 13.0 billion year on year, while the trade deficit with non-EU countries widened by CZK 23.7 billion, highlighting continued dependence on imported energy and manufactured components from outside the bloc.
Exports reached CZK 464.7 billion in June, representing an 11.2% increase compared with the same month last year. Imports grew at a faster pace, rising 14.9% to CZK 449.2 billion. The Czech Statistical Office noted that June 2026 included one additional working day compared with June 2025, contributing to the higher trade volumes.
Zdeněk Skalák, Head of the Trade Balance Unit at the Czech Statistical Office, said the trade balance remained positive during June, supported primarily by exports of motor vehicles, while trade in computer, electronic and optical products had the largest negative impact on the overall result.
Seasonally adjusted data indicate that exports continued to grow modestly during the month, increasing 0.5% compared with May, while imports rose more rapidly by 1.9%.
For the first six months of 2026, the Czech Republic recorded a cumulative trade surplus of CZK 107.8 billion, a decline of CZK 24.8 billion compared with the same period in 2025. Since the beginning of the year, exports have increased 5.2%, while imports have grown 6.6%, reflecting stronger domestic demand and higher import volumes.
The latest figures underline the continued importance of the automotive industry to the Czech economy, with vehicle exports remaining the country’s strongest contributor to external trade. At the same time, rising imports of electronic products and energy continue to weigh on the overall trade balance, demonstrating the mixed impact of global supply chains and commodity markets on Czech foreign trade.
