Exports edged down 0.5% on the year to EUR33.5 billion in January through September, while imports inched up 0.1% to EUR40.6 billion, the data showed.
Vehicles made up for the bulk of exports and imports, amounting to 40% of overall exports and 33.2% of the imports in the first nine months.
In September alone, Romania’s trade deficit narrowed to EUR808.8 million, from EUR832 million in the year-earlier month.
Exports were at EUR3.83 billion in September, down 9% on the year, while imports declined 8% to EUR4.64 billion.
Romania’s trade deficit widened to EUR9.72 billion in 2011, from EUR9.53 billion a year earlier.