The trade deficit in the Czech Republic widened to CZK 5.3 billion in August 2026 from CZK 0.3 billion surplus a year earlier, exceeding market expectations of CZK 4.4 billion. Imports were driven mainly by higher purchases of crude petroleum and natural gas (+67.6%), coke and refined petroleum products (+47.9%), other transport equipment (+81.4%), and computers, electronic and optical products (+21.3%). Meanwhile, exports rose 8.5% year-on-year to CZK 371.9 billion driven largely by stronger sales of crude petroleum and natural gas (+871.0%), electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning (+100.3%), other transport equipment (+32.7%), and computers, electronic and optical products (+20.6%). In the January–August period, the trade surplus reached CZK 83.7 83.7 billion, down by CZK 42.8 billion a year earlier, as imports outpaced exports, rising 5.1% and 3.6%, respectively.