ATHENS, October 2026 — Greek export growth hit 16.5 per cent in the first eight months of 2026, taking goods exports to €37.1 billion, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data published on Monday show.
Without petroleum products, exports rose 7.6 per cent to €26.4 billion over the same period, compared with 2025.
Imports grew by a slower 8.2 per cent. As a result, Greece’s trade deficit narrowed by 3.8 per cent to €21.18 billion.
Harry Theoharis, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion, said the figures show the export base is widening. It is also becoming more resilient, he said.
He stressed that Greek export growth goes beyond petroleum products and reaches the broader productive core of the economy.
Trade deficit narrows without oil
The deficit excluding petroleum products fell 5.3 per cent year on year, or by about €1 billion.
This year’s Greek export growth marks a turnaround, according to the Foreign Ministry. In the same period of 2025, total exports fell 5.6 per cent, although non-oil exports rose 3.7 per cent.
Back then, the deficit excluding petroleum products grew by 2.7 per cent, the ministry said.
Strong August figures
August alone was strong. Exports jumped 26.7 per cent year on year, and exports excluding petroleum products climbed 12.5 per cent.
Even so, the total monthly trade deficit widened by 3.6 per cent in August. The deficit excluding petroleum products shrank by 6.6 per cent.
Theoharis said Greek export growth matches the government’s goals. However, he warned there is no room for complacency in a difficult global climate.
Trade competition is growing fiercer amid geoeconomic shifts and rising uncertainty, he said. For that reason, Greece needs more and better extroversion.
He called for more companies in international markets, more domestic added value, new markets and a stronger production base.
Greek export growth had already been strong in the first seven months, when exports reached €32.76 billion. ELSTAT publishes the full monthly trade series on its website.
Theoharis is visiting Jakarta, Indonesia, until 14 October with a Greek business delegation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: Athens-Macedonian News Agency
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