Serbia again a major economic partner in Kosovo, its imports surpass Albania this year

During these five months, Kosovo has imported goods worth a total of 75 million euros from Serbia, while 61 million euros from Albania. Despite tense political relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the latter continues to remain one of the main sources of goods entering the Kosovo market.

Customs data for the period January-May 2025 show that Serbia has surpassed Albania in terms of the value of goods imported into Kosovo. During these five months, Kosovo has imported goods worth a total of 75 million euros from Serbia, while 61 million euros from Albania. This comes at a time when in political discourse, Serbia is constantly mentioned as an enemy state, while Albania is a strategic partner and a brotherly nation.

To make the contrast clearer, in March alone, imports from Serbia amounted to nearly 19 million euros, while from Albania 13.3 million euros. In fact, Serbia had a higher import value than Albania in four of the first five months of the year.

During the first months of 2025, imports were made from several countries with the IM4 and AL regime, based on the CEFTA preferential agreements. From North Macedonia (MK), in January, goods were imported in an amount of 18.99 million, with a value of over 11.1 million euros and a net weight of over 24.1 million kg. No customs duty was paid for these imports, but 771 thousand euros of excise duty and over 1.94 million euros of VAT were paid.

From Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA), in the same month, goods were imported in smaller quantities - 83,892 kg, worth around 2.5 million euros and a net weight of over 3.3 million kg, with 392 thousand euros of VAT paid.

Imports from Moldova (MD) during January reached 66,679 kg worth around 67 thousand euros and around 12 thousand euros of VAT. From Serbia (XS), goods worth between 4.5 million and 2.9 million euros were imported in some cases, with VAT paid exceeding 1.8 million euros, in some cases with excise duty over 123 thousand euros.

In the following months, North Macedonia continues to be among the main trading partners, with imports reaching 23.9 million kg in May, and a value of goods of over 20.2 million euros, paying 933 thousand euros in excise duty and 3.44 million euros in VAT.

From Albania (AL), through the AL-CEFTA regime, goods of various values ​​have been imported, where for example in May 2.5 million kg of goods worth over 13.3 million euros were registered, with around 2.3 million euros in VAT.

Also, imports from Montenegro have been registered, with values ​​ranging from 1.1 million to 2.8 million euros, and VAT paid from 134 thousand to 657 thousand euros.

In special cases, some lines have VAT paid up to 3 million euros, as is the case with imports from Macedonia or Albania in May. Kosovo has recorded a significant increase in the trade deficit in May 2025, compared to the same period last year.

Data from foreign trade in goods in Kosovo show a trade deficit of 21.5% in May 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, or in the amount of 523.4 million euros, compared to the deficit of 430.6 million euros in 2024.

Kosovo has recorded a significant increase in its trade deficit in May 2025, compared to the same period last year. According to official data, the trade deficit reached 523.4 million euros, which represents an increase of 21.5% compared to May 2024, when the deficit was 430.6 million euros.

During this month, exports reached 81.4 million euros, marking a decrease of 0.5%, while imports increased by 17.1%, reaching 604.7 million euros. As a result, the import-export coverage was only 13.5%.

Trade with the EU and CEFTA

Kosovo continues to have the largest trade exchanges with European Union countries, where exports to the EU reached 29.0 million euros (35.6% of total exports), with an increase of 2.3%. The main partners were:

Germany – 12.5%. Italy – 3.5%. Netherlands – 3.1%. Imports from the EU were 265.1 million euros (43.8% of imports), with an increase of 13.0%, mainly from:

Germany – 14.6%. Italy – 5.1%. Poland – 5.1%. Meanwhile, exports to CEFTA countries decreased by 13.0%, reaching 34.5 million euros, or 42.5% of total exports. The main partners were:

North Macedonia – 14.8%. Albania – 13.6%. Montenegro – 6.5%. Serbia – 6.1%. Imports from CEFTA countries amounted to 69.6 million euros, or 11.5% of total imports, with an increase of 3.3%. The countries with the highest share in imports were: North Macedonia (3.7%), Serbia (3.4%), Albania (3.3%)./ Monitor