The Statistical Office of the SR releases definitive data on foreign trade for 2018, following the adjustment resulting from the major change in methodology, in order to refine data in the field of trade statistics. The changes have affected the rules on energy trade (natural gas, electricity) and data on trade in aircrafts. The reference period for trade statistics with non-member states has also changed. Definitive data according to the original methodology were published on 23 September 2019 (more here).

In 2018, goods in the amount of EUR 79 144,5 million were exported from the Slovak Republic. Compared with 2017, the total export rose by 7,2 %.

In terms of goods, increase was recorded in the export of motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons by EUR 4 034,1 million, electrical lighting or signaling equipment by EUR 256,6 million, wires and cables by EUR 164,6 million and electrical transformers, static converters and inductors by EUR 132,6 million. The highest decline was noted in the export of monitors and projectors, television receivers by EUR 551,2 million, bodies for motor vehicles by EUR 403,7 million,  telephone sets, including telephones for cellular networks by EUR 155,5 million and parts and accessories of transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television by EUR 136,6 million.

As part of the most significant trade partners, export increased to Germany by 15 %,  the Czech Republic by 9,9 %, Poland by 6 %, France by 7,7 %, Austria by 2,1 %, Italy by 2 %, the United Kingdom by 2,1 %, USA by 25,3 %, Spain by 2,7 %, Romania by 9,9 %, the Russian Federation by 0,9 %. Export decreased to Hungary by 1,9 %, and the Netherlands by 9 %.

In terms of the main economic groupings, export to the EU countries increased by 7,1 % (it represented 84,9 % of the total export of the SR) and to the OECD countries equally by 7,1 % (it represented 88,5 % of the total export of the SR), compared to 2017.

Goods in the amount of EUR 76 835 million were imported to the Slovak Republic, with a year-on-year growth by 8,6 %.

In terms of goods, increase was registered in imports of parts and accessories of motor vehicles by EUR 1 879,5 million, petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, other than crude by EUR 651,6 million, wires and cables by EUR 515,6, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines by EUR 466,8 million. Decrease was recorded significantly in import of products of liquid crystals by EUR 349,8 million and monitors and projectors, television receivers by EUR 286,7 million.

In relation to the most significant trade partners, import increased from Germany by 14,9 %, the Czech Republic by 7 %, the Russian Federation by 25,2 %, the Republic of Korea by 11,7 %, Vietnam by 16,6 %, Poland by 11,7 %, Hungary by 5,4 %, Italy by 11,5 %, Austria by 10,4 % and France by 5,8 %. Import decreased from China by 13 %.

In terms of the main economic groupings, import from the EU countries rose by 9,3 % (it represented 66,5 % of the total import) and from the OECD countries it increased by 9,6 % (it represented 66,6 % of the total import of the SR), compared to 2017.

In 2018, the foreign trade balance was in surplus in the amount of EUR 2 309,5 million (by EUR 764,2 million lower than in 2017).

The Slovak Republic had the highest balance surplus with Germany (EUR 3 840,4 million), France (EUR 2 622,6 million), the United Kingdom (EUR 2 613,1 million), Austria (EUR 2 171,8 million), Italy (EUR 1 896,1 million), USA (EUR 1 894,3 million), Poland (EUR 1 768 million). The Czech Republic (EUR 1 444,7 million), Hungary (EUR 1 174,9), Spain (EUR 1 071,4 million) and Romania (EUR 871,9 million).

The largest balance deficit was recorded in foreign-trade activity with Vietnam (EUR 4 459,2 million), the Republic of Korea (EUR 4 391,9 million), China (EUR 3 221 million), the Russian Federation (EUR 3 050 million), Malaysia (EUR 479,8 million), Taiwan (EUR 416,2 million), Japan (EUR 344,7 million) and with India (EUR 200,4 million).