Xifres de comerç exterior de Macedònia del Nord

Foreign Trade in Figures

North Macedonia has an open economy and is highly integrated into international trade, with a total trade-to-GDP ratio of over 148% (World Bank, latest data available). According to data from the State Statistical Office, in 2022 the country mainly exported catalysts with precious metal or precious metal compounds as the active substance, ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, and aircraft or ships; while imports were led by petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (other than crude), other metals of the platinum group and alloys thereof, unwrought or in powder form, and electricity and colloidal precious metals.

In 2022, the cuntry’s main export partners were Germany, which accounted for almost half of the total exports alone (45.1%), Bulgaria (5%), Serbia (4.6%), Kosovo (4.6%), and Greece (4%); with the main import origins being Germany (23.4%), the United Kingdom (10.2%), Greece (8.3%), Serbia (5.6%), and China (4.9% - data State Statistical Office). Overall, the EU accounted for 78.3% of total exports and 46.8% of imports. North Macedonia became a member of the WTO (World Trade Organisation) in April 2003. Following a cooperation agreement with the EU, North Macedonia signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which concedes the country duty-free access to European markets. Lastly, in 2006 the country became a member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), generally considered the antechamber of the EU.

North Macedonia's trade structure has been traditionally in deficit, however, the gap between imports and exports had been gradually decreasing in recent years. In 2021, the country exported goods worth USD 8.1 billion – a 23.3% increase compared to the previous year – importing USD 11.3 billion (+30% y-o-y). With regard to services, North Macedonia exported USD 2 billion in commercial services, importing USD 1.4 billion (data by WTO). The World Bank estimated the country’s 2021 overall trade deficit at 16% of GDP (from 12.7% one year earlier). According to preliminary data from the State Statistical Office, the total value of exported goods from the Republic of North Macedonia in the period January-December 2022 amounted to USD 8.7 billion, a 6.6% increase compared to the same period one year earlier; whereas the value of imported goods stood at USD 12.7 billion, 12% more year-on-year.