Slovak Trade Balance Improves Despite Export Decline in January

Slovakia's export performance weakened in January 2026, declining by 2.8 percent after four consecutive months of growth. The drop marked a reversal in the country's recent trade momentum, ending a positive streak that had lasted since September 2025. Despite the export decline, Slovakia's overall trade balance improved as imports fell even more sharply than exports during the same period. The steeper drop in imports helped reduce the country's trade deficit, providing some relief to the balance of payments despite weaker export performance. The January figures reflect the volatility in Slovakia's trade flows, which are heavily dependent on the automotive and manufacturing sectors that serve European markets.