Southeast Europe / Data
Industrial inflation exceeds 25% y/y in Moldova
The industrial price inflation in April was the second-highest since last November when Gazprom began charging much higher prices under a new contract.
Romania’s construction companies post robust 6.5% growth in Q1
The volume of construction works in Romania increased by 6.5% y/y in the first quarter of 2022.
Net FDI in Bulgaria jumps four times y/y through March to €1.05bn
The new government's pledged to improve the economic and political environment has yielded results despite the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices.
Romania puzzles analysts with robust 6.5% GDP growth in Q1
Romania’s GDP increased by a real 6.5% y/y in the first quarter of the year, surprising analysts who had expected more damage from the war in Ukraine.
Romania’s industrial production down 0.2% y/y in Q1 despite resilient automotive sector
The deterioration in output was visible in March, the first month after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, at -1.6% y/y.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Public debt starts to decline in the Western Balkans
Across the region, the average publicly guaranteed debt to GDP ratio fell from 60.8% of GDP in 2020 to 56.5% in 2021, a World Bank report shows.
Western Balkan countries face new economic challenges with growth set to slow to 3.1% this year
The war in Ukraine sends shockwaves across the region and the World Bank warns of "daunting" downside risks to the current outlook.
Turkey’s manufacturing PMI edges further into contraction territory in April
Price pressures remained elevated, supply chain disruption continued and the war in Ukraine added to difficulties. Exports softened for first time in three months.
Growth of North Macedonia’s industrial production slows to 3.2% y/y in March
Growth decelerated across all three main industrial sectors.
Moldova’s industry shrinks by 6.3% m/m in February, more shocks expected
Major effects on Moldova’s industrial activity came from the disruption of global production chains, mainly in the automotive industry.
Bulgaria’s inflation hits 14-year peak of 12.4% y/y in March
Government considers cutting taxes on bread, fruit and vegetables after high energy prices and the war in Ukraine pushed up inflation.
Albania experienced steepest population decline in two decades in 2021
Deaths outnumbered births in 2021, while emigration revived as international travel restrictions were lifted.
Share of gas in Moldova’s imports triples to 17.3% in January-February
In absolute terms, the cost of gas imports more than quadrupled to $229mn.
USDA projects robust corn crop in Romania this year
The corn harvest is estimated at 13.7mn tonnes for the 2021/22 marketing year in Romania, one of the EU's top two corn producers.
North Macedonia’s central bank raises key rate by 0.25 pp as inflation rises
Consumer price inflation accelerated to 8.8% y/y in March, with prices pushed up by rising food and energy import costs.
Romania’s inflation pushed up to double digits by rising food prices
Central bank board member says prices "exceeded our darkest expectations" as annual inflation rate shoots up to 10.2%.
Inflation hits 22% y/y in Moldova
Spike in commodity prices combined with need to find new suppliers after war in neighbouring Ukraine push up prices in Moldova.
Romania’s trade deficit hits 10% of GDP in 12 months to February
Romania’s trade gap widened by 30% y/y in February and by 50% y/y in the first two months of the year.
Romania’s public debt-to-GDP ratio hits 50.6% at end-February
Romania’s public debt increased by €4.1bn in the first two months of this year.
