Sweden’s trade deficit widens despite rising exports

Sweden imported SEK11.9 billion more in goods than it exported in August, widening the deficit from a year earlier even as exports grew. After seasonal adjustment, however, the balance remained in surplus.

Goods exports reached SEK159.9 billion and imports SEK171.8 billion, according to SCB’s preliminary figures released on 28 September. The unadjusted deficit was SEK8.7 billion in August 2025.

Export values rose 11% from a year earlier, while import values increased 12%. The figures measure trade in current prices, so those increases should not be read as equivalent growth in the volume of goods shipped.

The seasonally adjusted surplus was SEK1.7 billion, up from SEK1.5 billion in July and SEK0.9 billion in June. That measure removes recurring seasonal effects and gives a different picture from the raw monthly deficit.

Sweden recorded a SEK18.6 billion goods-trade deficit with EU countries and a SEK6.7 billion surplus with countries outside the bloc. The release covers goods, not trade in services.

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