Foreign trade
Foreign trade statistics give an overview of the trade in goods and services between Estonia and other countries. The difference between exports and imports is the foreign trade balance of the country. In foreign trade statistics, goods are recorded on the basis of their movement across the Estonian border and services on the basis of purchase and sale transactions of residents and non-residents.
Foreign trade statistics are published at current prices and provide answers to the following questions:
- what is the total value of foreign trade;
- what is the value of exported and imported goods and services;
- how much are goods and services of Estonian origin exported to European Union countries and third countries;
- to what extent are goods and services purchased from other countries;
- which countries are Estonia’s main export and import partners;
- what is the balance of trade in goods.
The main users of foreign trade data are Eesti Pank (Bank of Estonia), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, international organisations Eurostat, UN, OECD, IMF and WTO. Foreign trade data are important for monitoring economic developments in the country and planning economic policy. The statistics are also used in the calculation of the GDP and compiling the balance of payments. Enterprises can use the data for market research purposes.
Exports of goods up by 12% in February
According to Statistics Estonia, in February 2025, exports of goods increased by 12% and imports by 10%. Exports of goods amounted to nearly €1.5 billion and imports to more than €1.7 billion at current prices. The trade deficit was €264 million, which is €5 million higher than in February last year.
Exports of goods up by 13% and imports by 16% in January
According to Statistics Estonia, in January 2025, Estonia’s exports of goods increased by 13% and imports by 16% compared with January 2024. Exports of goods amounted to over 1.5 billion and imports to 1.8 billion euros at current prices. The trade deficit was 331 million euros, which is 85 million more than in January last year.
Exports of services up by 7% and imports by 5% in 2024
According to Statistics Estonia and Eesti Pank, in 2024, Estonia’s exports of services grew by 7% and imports by 5%. Exports of services totalled €12.5 billion and imports €9.5 billion at current prices. The balance of foreign trade in services was in surplus by €2.9 billion, which is €333 million more than in 2023.