Greek Exports Hit €32.8 Billion as Food, Machinery and Industry Gain Ground

Greek exports are off to a strong start in 2026, rising 14.9 percent in the first seven months of the year to €32.76 billion, according to provisional data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). The increase accelerated in July. Exports reached €5.07 billion, up 15.9 percent from July 2025. It was the fourth consecutive month in which Greek exports exceeded €5 billion. But the headline number hides an important detail: the growth is not coming only from petroleum products. The rise goes beyond energy Petroleum products remain a major part of Greece's export trade, but exports excluding petroleum products still increased by 6.9 percent in the January-July period, reaching €23.67 billion. Excluding both petroleum products and ships, exports rose 6.7 percent. That gives the latest figures a broader significance. Greece is exporting considerably more, while the non-energy part of its export base is also expanding. Food is one of the most important categories. Exports of food and live animals approached €6 billion in the first seven months. Machinery and transport equipment accounted for more than €11 billion, while chemicals and manufactured goods also represented major parts of Greece's export trade. Europe remains central The European Union continues to be Greece's largest export market. Greek exports to EU countries rose 15.1 percent in the first seven months, reaching €18.99 billion. Exports to countries outside the EU also performed strongly, increasing 14.8 percent to €13.76 billion. The figures show that the export increase is not confined to one market. Greek goods are gaining ground both within Europe and in markets beyond the bloc. The trade gap is narrowing There is another positive signal in the data. Greece's trade deficit fell 3.8 percent in January-July, to €19.14 billion, even as imports increased 7.2 percent to €51.90 billion. The improvement is modest compared with the scale of Greece's overall trade deficit, but it points in the same direction: exports are growing faster than imports. The latest figures do not mean that Greece has suddenly become an export-driven economy. Energy products remain important, and the country still imports substantially more goods than it exports. But the numbers do show something more encouraging. Greek companies are selling more abroad, and a significant part of that growth is coming from products beyond oil — from food and chemicals to machinery, manufactured goods and other industrial products. If that momentum continues, Greece's export story in 2026 could become more than a strong energy-driven rebound. It could point to a broader strengthening of the country's presence in international markets.