Category: 3. Business

Euro area

The first estimates of euro area balance showed a €18.4 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in October 2025, compared with + €7.1 bn in October 2024.

The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world in October 2025 were €258.0 bn, an increase of 1.0% compared with October 2024 (€255.5 bn).

Imports from the rest of the world stood at €239.6 bn, a fall of 3.6% compared with October 2024 (€248.4 bn).

In October 2025, the euro area balance remained stable compared to September 2025, with the overall surplus remaining at €18.4 bn. Although the surplus of chemicals and related products decreased from €28.5 bn in September 2025 to €18.4 bn in October 2025, improvements in other sectors helped maintain the overall balance.

Compared to October 2024, the euro area balance increased by €11.3 bn. This positive change was primarily driven by significant improvements in the energy sector, where the deficit decreased from €-24.7 billion in October 2024 to €-17.0 bn in October 2025.

In January to October 2025, the euro area recorded a surplus of €144.6 bn, compared with €141.4 bn in January-October 2024.

The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world rose to €2 462.7 bn (an increase of 2.9% compared with January-October 2024), and imports rose to €2 318.1 bn (an increase of 3.0% compared with January-October 2024).

Intra-euro area trade rose to €2 199.0 bn in January-October 2025, up by 1.6% compared with January-October 2024.

Euro area trade – non seasonally adjusted data (bn €)
Flows	Oct 24	Oct 25	Growth	Jan-Oct 24	Jan-Oct 25	Growth
255.5	258.0	1.0%	2 392.6	2 462.7	2.9%
248.4	239.6	-3.6%	2 251.2	2 318.1	3.0%
7.1	18.4		141.4	144.6
234.3	234.0	-0.1%	2 163.8	2 199.0	1.6%

European Union

The EU balance showed a €14.7 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in October 2025, compared with +€3.1 bn in October 2024.

The extra-EU exports of goods in October 2025 were €227.5 billion, down by 0.6% compared with October 2024 (€228.9 bn).

Imports from the rest of the world stood at €212.8 bn, down by 5.8% compared with October 2024 (€225.8 bn).

In October 2025, the EU balance showed a decline compared to September 2025, with the overall surplus decreasing from €15.4 bn to €14.7 bn. This change was primarily driven by a reduction in the chemicals and related products surplus, which fell from €26.5 bn in September 2025 to €16.4 bn in October 2025. However, the decline in the overall balance was partially mitigated by reductions in the deficits for both energy (from €-23.2 bn to €-19.9 bn) and other manufactured goods (from €-5.0 bn to €-0.5 bn).

Compared to October 2024, the EU balance improved by €11.6 bn. This positive change was largely attributed to the reduction in deficit for energy products, which decreased from €-28.7 bn in October 2024 to €-19.9 bn in October 2025, and other manufactured goods, which decreased from €-4.4 to €-0.5.

In January to October 2025, the EU recorded a surplus of €116.7 bn, compared with €116.3 bn in January-October 2024.

The extra-EU exports of goods rose to €2 215.3 bn (an increase of 2.6% compared with January-October 2024), and imports rose to €2 098.6 bn (an increase of 2.8% compared with January-October 2024).

Intra-EU trade rose to €3 465.6 bn in January-October 2025, +2.3% compared with January-October 2024.

EU trade – non seasonally adjusted data (bn €)
Flows	Oct 24	Oct 25	Growth	Jan-Oct 24	Jan-Oct 25	Growth
228.9	227.5	-0.6%	2 158.5	2 215.3	2.6%
225.8	212.8	-5.8%	2 042.2	2 098.6	2.8%
3.1	14.7		116.3	116.7
368.8	374.9	1.6%	3 387.6	3 465.6	2.3%

Main products – EU Bn €, monthly change compared to previous year
	Extra-EU exports		Extra-EU imports		Trade balance
	Oct 25	Growth rates	Oct 25	Growth rates	Oct 25	Oct 24
227.5	-0.6%	212.8	-5.8%	14.7	3.1
35.2	-0.3%	52.0	-16.6%	-16.8	-27.1
19.8	0.9%	15.0	-1.1%	4.8	4.5
6.1	1.8%	7.9	-11.1%	-1.8	-2.9
9.3	-4.0%	29.2	-24.0%	-19.9	-28.7
186.4	-1.8%	157.1	-2.1%	29.3	29.4
46.2	-7.7%	29.8	-4.9%	16.4	18.7
90.4	1.5%	76.9	4.2%	13.5	15.2
49.9	-1.8%	50.4	-8.8%	-0.5	-4.4
5.9	57.9%	3.6	21.7%	2.3	0.7

Main trading partners – EU Bn €, monthly change compared to previous year
	Extra-EU exports		Extra-EU imports		Trade balance
	Oct 25	Growth rates	Oct 25	Growth rates	Oct 25	Oct 24
40.7	-14.7%	29.5	4.4%	11.2	19.5
16.7	-3.3%	49.2	-4.4%	-32.5	-34.1
30.5	-3.0%	13.2	-10.0%	17.3	16.7
20.0	16.5%	13.8	-7.7%	6.2	2.3
9.8	-3.2%	9.3	0.5%	0.5	0.9
6.0	6.1%	7.2	-13.6%	-1.2	-2.6
5.7	-7.8%	5.6	4.5%	0.1	0.8
4.4	4.2%	6.1	-14.8%	-1.7	-3.0
4.5	-5.3%	5.7	-8.9%	-1.2	-1.5
4.9	8.7%	2.8	9.6%	2.1	2.0

Annex – Seasonally adjusted data

In October 2025 compared with September 2025, euro area seasonally adjusted exports decreased by 4.6%, while imports decreased by 3.3%. The seasonally adjusted balance was €14.0 bn, a fall compared with September (€18.0 bn).

In October 2025 compared with September 2025, EU seasonally adjusted exports decreased by 5.6%, while imports decreased by 4.3%. The seasonally adjusted balance was €11.8 bn, a fall compared with September (€15.1 bn).

In August-October 2025, euro area exports to non-EA countries rose by 0.1%, while imports fell by 2.2%. Intra euro area trade rose by 0.4%. During the same period, EU exports to non-EU countries decreased by 0.6%, while imports fell by 2.9%. Intra-EU trade increased by 0.7%.

EA and EU trade – seasonally adjusted data – (bn €)
	Sep 25	Oct 25	growth rates	Aug-Oct 25	Growth rates (compared to the previous three months)
247.8	236.3	-4.6%	721.2	0.1%
229.8	222.3	-3.3%	679.1	-2.2%
18.0	14.0		42.2
221.5	218.3	-1.5%	658.9	0.4%
221.7	209.4	-5.6%	643.2	-0.6%
206.6	197.6	-4.3%	609.4	-2.9%
15.1	11.8		33.8
349.7	345.4	-1.2%	1 039.9	0.7%

Notes for users

Revisions and timetable

This News Release is based on information transmitted by Member States to Eurostat before 11 Dec 2025 figures are provisional. For more details, see information on data.

Methods and definitions

Statistics on trade in goods are transmitted monthly by the Member States, in accordance with the standard set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. For each reference month, Member States must compile statistics covering their total extra- and intra-EU trade by using estimates, where necessary. These data are available within 40 days after the end of the reference month, enabling euro area and EU aggregates to be disseminated within around 46 days.

Member States provide Eurostat with raw data, which are adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects by Eurostat. The European aggregates are computed with the indirect approach (by Member States) for total imports and exports, which guarantees additivity between the aggregate and its respective components. The estimation of seasonally adjusted data is based on the Tramo-Seats procedure, which is available in the software JDemetra+.

Data are broken down by broad categories of products as defined by the one-digit codes of the Standard international trade classification (SITC).

Geographical information

The euro area (EA20) includes Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.

The European Union (EU27) includes Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.

For more information

The FSA issued a warning earlier this year that some Dubai-style chocolate products may be unsafe for people with allergies. The FSA is aware that some of these products may contain allergens such as peanut and sesame that are not declared on the label. This information has been shared with businesses and industry groups so they can take action to make sure the products they sell are safe and correctly labelled.   

The FSA is currently reviewing sampling data from products on sale to check whether they meet the required food safety and labelling standards. Until the work is complete and the full results are known, the FSA is advising consumers with allergies to avoid Dubai-style chocolate as a precaution.  

“Dubai-style chocolate has become hugely popular, but we’ve found that some products contain peanut and sesame that aren’t declared on the label. For someone with allergies, this could be dangerous. 

With Christmas just around corner, there is a risk that some products on sale may not meet our strict UK standards. 

People with an allergy should not eat Dubai-style chocolate. If you’re buying a gift for someone who lives with allergies, our advice is to avoid buying these products. This includes all allergies, not just peanut and sesame. People without allergies can consume these products, especially where they are supplied by reputable brands and retailers.  

People should be able to trust that food in UK shops is safe and that it’s what it says it is, so we’re reminding businesses of their responsibility to ensure the safety of the food products they sell.  We’ve also shared our concerns with allergy charities so they can help us make sure consumers have the information they need to make informed choices.    

We’re continuing to monitor these products and will provide further advice, so sign up to our food alerts to stay up to date.”

Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy at the FSA

“CTSI fully supports the FSA’s precautionary advice and share their commitment to protecting the safety and health of consumers, particularly when it comes to allergens in food; these can be fatal to those with food hypersensitivity.  

The legal requirements on this are clear – any food containing allergens needs to be clearly identified and labelled as such to allow consumers to make informed and safe choices. To not do this is illegal and also highly dangerous as it makes such foods unsafe to those with food allergies. We urge all food businesses, including retailers and importers, to take immediate steps to comply. Businesses who are not sure if they are affected by this warning should contact their local Trading Standards service for advice and guidance.  

The public should be assured that Trading Standards professionals nationwide – whether advising businesses or enforcing compliance – are working closely with the FSA and affected companies to ensure products meet all safety and labelling requirements. Together, we can help keep people safe and maintain trust in the food supply chain.” 

Jessica Merryfield, Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner and Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)

For people who do choose to buy Dubai-style chocolate, FSA advice is to buy from a reputable retailer and check that the product label is in English and contains the following information:  

• the name of the food (e.g. milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling);    
• a list of ingredients, with allergens emphasised;    
• the weight of the food in grams;    
• a best before or use by date; 
• the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. If the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included.  

For more information on food allergies and how to stay safe, visit food.gov.uk.  

In 2025, 32.7% of people aged 16-74 in the EU used generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Most people used them for personal purposes (25.1%), while 15.1% used them for work and 9.4% for formal education.

This information comes from data on the use of ICT in households and by individuals published by Eurostat today. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on digital economy and society statistics – households and individuals.

Among EU countries, the use of generative AI tools was most widespread in Denmark (48.4%), Estonia (46.6%) and Malta (46.5%).

In contrast, the lowest shares of people using generative AI tools were recorded in Romania (17.8%), Italy (19.9%) and Bulgaria (22.5%).

Source dataset: isoc_ai_iaiu

Late payments remain an increasing problem in the EU, with more than half of companies reporting difficulties as a result in 2024. According to suppliers, average payment periods exceeded 60 days in both B2B and G2B transactions, with governments paying later than businesses in every Member State. As observed in every year analysed, the larger the company, the less likely it is to pay on time. At sector level, however, payment performance varies widely, differing more across Member States than across sectors within a single country.

This edition of the Annual Report introduces a new section on payment terms. The analysis shows that longer payment terms are associated with longer payment periods in 87% of cases, and that most companies surveyed by the Commission support limiting payment terms.

Amid economic uncertainty and a slowdown, companies are increasingly concerned about late payment practices, while structural issues persist. The consequences of a poor payment culture are diverse, with impacts on investment and growth most frequently cited. In addition, pursuing late payments represents a significant administrative burden for companies.

The Annual Report is the Observatory’s main analytical output, providing a comprehensive overview of key trends and developments in payment performance related to commercial transactions in 2024.

 

 

This report was written in the context of a European Commission project to set up a European Payment Observatory. The report was originally published here.