Greek exports are on track to set an all-time record in 2026, buoyed by four consecutive months of strong growth and broad-based sectoral gains, according to the president of the Panhellenic Exporters Association.
Goods exports surged 26.3 percent in June to €5.0 billion, bringing the first-half total to €27.6 billion — the highest figure in three years. Excluding petroleum products, exports rose 18.4 percent in June, and 18.2 percent when both petroleum and ships are excluded, suggesting the increase reflects structural improvement rather than energy price effects.
“The foundations have been laid to go for a historic record this year,” said Alkiviadis Kalabokis, president of the Panhellenic Exporters Association, noting that the strong figures were achieved in months that are not traditionally the strongest for Greek exports, as flagship products such as olive oil typically enter the export cycle later in the year.
Broad-Based Growth
Kalabokis said the most encouraging aspect was not the headline figures but the breadth of the expansion, with nine out of ten export sectors recording positive growth. The non-energy core of Greek exports — covering food, industrial goods, machinery, and raw materials — grew 6.9 percent, a development he described as rooted in the real productive economy rather than any single sector or temporary price spike.
“When nine out of ten sectors are in positive territory, regardless of the reasons, the foundations have been put in place,” he said.
All major categories posted gains in the first half, including petroleum and fuels, food, industrial products, chemicals, machinery, raw materials, beverages and tobacco, and classified products. The only exception was oils, which fell 18.5 percent, a decline attributed to lower international olive oil prices rather than any drop in volumes or market share.
Food exports continued to stand out as a pillar of strength, rising 10 percent in the first half to €5.077 billion, with June alone recording growth of 13.3 percent.
