Foreign trade: the deficit shrinks despite a marked decline in imports

Foreign trade: the deficit shrinks despite a marked decline in imports
DR
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Global imports decline by 8.8% in the quarter, with sectoral drops of up to 39.4%. Year-on-year, however, they increase by 6.6%, supported by goods (+6.9%) and services (+4.1%).

The trade balance deficit shows signs of easing during the quarter under review, driven by a notable contraction in imports. According to the National Institute of Statistics, “global imports for the quarter are down 8.8% compared to the second quarter of 2025”.

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This decline is mainly explained by the decrease in goods purchases, despite a slight increase in imported services. In detail, demand contracted sharply for several industrial segments. Products from agricultural processing recorded the most significant drop (-39.4%), followed by chemical industries (-35.5%) and grain processing (-22.0%). Other sectors such as furniture manufacturing (-14.8%), the textile industry (-13.5%) and the beverage industry (-10.3%) also contribute to this downward trend.

Year-on-year, however, the dynamic appears more contrasted. Global imports increased by 6.6% compared to the same period last year, driven by both goods (+6.9%) and services (+4.1%). “Excluding chemical industries, which are down 7.6%, demand for other imported goods is improving,” the institution specifies.

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This evolution reflects a cyclical adjustment of domestic demand, in a context where external balances seem to be initiating a gradual correction.

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Translated from

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