The Azores strengthened their position in international trade during the first five months of 2026, recording a trade surplus of €11.5 million as exports continued to outpace imports, according to newly released figures from the Azores Regional Statistics Service (SREA).
Between January and May, the Autonomous Region exported goods worth €78.76 million, while imports totaled €67.24 million, resulting in a positive trade balance of €11.53 million. The Region’s export coverage rate—the ratio of exports to imports—stood at 117.1 percent, meaning that exports comfortably exceeded the value of imported goods.
The strongest performance came in May, when Azorean exports reached €19.05 million, the highest monthly total recorded so far this year. This represented an increase of more than €2.65 million, or 16.2 percent, compared with April. At the same time, imports declined by 7 percent, falling from €16.52 million in April to €15.36 million in May.
The combined effect transformed April’s modest trade deficit of €124,028 into a monthly surplus of €3.69 million in May, continuing a trend of positive monthly balances already established earlier in the year. January recorded a surplus of €2.95 million, followed by €2.40 million in February and €2.62 million in March.
Trade with the European Union continued to account for the largest share of commercial activity. During the first five months of the year, exports to EU member states reached €59.53 million, while imports totaled €54.69 million, producing a positive balance of €4.83 million. In May alone, exports within the European Union amounted to €13.28 million, compared with imports of €12.38 million.
Trade with countries outside the European Union also delivered particularly strong results. Although extra-EU exports represented just under one-quarter of the Region’s total exports—€19.24 million—they generated a trade surplus of €6.69 million, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the Azores’ overall positive trade balance during the period. In May, exports to non-EU markets totaled €5.77 million, while imports stood at €2.98 million.
Manufactured goods continued to dominate the Region’s international trade. The manufacturing sector accounted for €65.89 million in exports and €63.78 million in imports. Within that category, food products, beverages, and tobacco remained the backbone of Azorean exports, totaling €39.44 million and representing approximately half of all goods exported from the archipelago.
Among all economic sectors, fisheries and aquaculture once again emerged as one of the Region’s strongest export industries. Exports reached €11.50 million, while imports totaled just €178,830, generating an impressive trade surplus of more than €11.3 million. The figures underscore the continued importance of the sea to the Azorean economy and the international competitiveness of the Region’s seafood industry.
Not all sectors recorded positive balances. The largest trade deficits were found in machinery and equipment, where imports significantly exceeded exports, resulting in a deficit of €5.25 million. Other sectors with notable negative balances included rubber and plastic products, with a deficit of €3.92 million, and transport equipment, which recorded a deficit of €2.26 million.
While the figures released by the SREA remain preliminary, they point to a positive trajectory for the Azorean economy during the first half of 2026. Strong export growth, particularly in food production and fisheries, combined with moderated import levels, enabled the Region to maintain a healthy trade surplus and reinforce the international competitiveness of its productive sectors.
As global markets continue to evolve, the latest trade data suggest that the Azores are successfully leveraging their traditional strengths—particularly agriculture, food processing, and marine industries—while continuing to expand their commercial presence both within the European Union and in markets beyond it.
Based on a story from Diário dos Açores, directed by Paulo Vivieiros. Photo also from DA.
