The trade surplus in the Czech Republic sharply narrowed to CZK 6.8 billion in April 2026 from CZK 18.3 billion in the same month last year. Imports rose 8.9% year-on-year to CZK 427.3 billion, driven primarily by higher purchases of mineral fuels and lubricants (24.6%) and chemical and related products (14.4%). Meanwhile, exports increased 5.7% to CZK 434.1 billion, as gains in crude materials (5.9%), mineral fuels and lubricants (7.1%), and machinery and transport equipment (6.0%) partially offset declines in animal and vegetable oils (-10.2%), food and live animals (-1.8%), and beverages and tobacco (-0.6%). For the January-April period, the trade balance reached a surplus of CZK 77.3 billion, lower than the CZK 94.7 billion surplus recorded in the same period a year ago, with exports rising 3.4% and imports increasing 4.8%.