The Attica region remains the powerhouse of Greek exports, accounting for 55% of total national exports in 2024, despite a slight year-over-year decline. Together with Central Macedonia and the Peloponnese, these three regions generated a massive 82% of the country’s total export volume, according to the “Mapping Regional Export Activity 2020–2024” study conducted by the Northern Greece Exporters Association (SEVE).
The study, presented during a special event, highlights the deep regional disparities in Greece’s export performance and emphasizes the need for greater decentralization of industry and value-added production.
€49.32 Billion in Total Exports – Trade Deficit Widens Further
Greece’s total exports reached €49.32 billion in 2024, slightly down from €50.45 billion in 2023. In contrast, imports rose by 2.5% to €82.9 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of €33.5 billion, an increase of 10.3% compared to the previous year.
Regional Export Breakdown – What They Export and Where
- Attica: Petroleum products, chemicals/plastics, machinery/devices — 58.2% of the region’s exports.
- Central Macedonia: Food products — 35.4% of exports.
- Peloponnese: Petroleum products (75.4%) and food (15.3%).
- Central Greece: Metals (44.2%) and food (17.4%).
- Thessaly: Food (63.6%) and metals (21%).
- Eastern Macedonia & Thrace: Food (29.3%), chemicals/plastics (16.5%), and textiles/apparel (14.5%).
Notable increases were seen in the South Aegean (+26.8%) and Eastern Macedonia & Thrace (+12.9%), while the North Aegean region experienced a sharp decline of -28.7%.
Top Export Destinations Vary by Region
- Italy: Greece’s overall top export destination (10.6%) and Attica’s largest partner (12.7%).
- Central Macedonia: North Macedonia (13.2%).
- Peloponnese: Libya (17.6%) and Gibraltar (12.9%) — largely due to oil exports.
- Central Greece: Israel (15.6%).
- Thessaly: Germany (20.2%).
- Eastern Macedonia & Thrace: Turkey (9.8%).
- Epirus and Western Macedonia: Albania (22% and 29.8% respectively).
- South Aegean: United Kingdom (21.9%).
Trade Balance Jan–July 2025: Slight Improvement
The goods trade deficit narrowed to €19.83 billion in January–July 2025, down from €20.18 billion in the same period of 2024. In current prices, exports dropped by 4.9%, while imports declined by 3.6%.
Non-fuel goods exports rose by 4.5%, indicating a shift toward more diverse industrial and agricultural products with added value.
Source: pagenews.gr