The Czech Republic is expected to achieve record exports this year, with goods shipments projected to rise by approximately 2.3 percent to around 6.25 trillion CZK, up from 6.11 trillion CZK last year. However, the strength of the Czech koruna against the euro has cost exporters a significant financial hit, reducing their revenues and profits by about 70 billion CZK in the first nine months of 2025 alone, according to the Association of Exporters Asociace exportérů.
Despite this record export level, the Czech foreign trade surplus is estimated to decline slightly to 680 billion CZK from last year’s record 695 billion CZK. The appreciation of the koruna, averaging about 50 haléřů against the euro this year, has caused exporters to receive fewer Czech crowns for goods sold abroad, dampening export growth when measured in local currency koruny terms.
If measured in euros instead of crowns, export growth would have been higher by about 3.4 percent year-on-year, illustrating how exchange rate fluctuations have shaved off one percentage point from export growth. Additional challenges for exporters include the subdued economic situation in Germany, the Czech Republic’s primary export market, and the complicated situation with exports to the United States amid rising tariffs cel imposed on EU goods entering the US.
High energy prices also significantly undermine the competitiveness of Czech companies. The Czech Republic faces some of the most expensive energy costs in the European Union, which is a major concern for exporters reliant on affordable energy for production. Exporters anticipate that the combined pressures of strong currency and costly energy will continue to curb export growth in 2026, with forecasted exports in the range of 6.3 to 6.4 trillion CZK.
The German market’s stagnation is reflected in a slight decline in its share of Czech exports, dropping from 33.1 percent in the first nine months of 2023 to 31.8 percent by the end of September 2025. The introduction of US tariffs has also affected exports to America, with an initial surge due to pre-tariff stockpiling followed by a notable decline in the third quarter. Overall, Czech exports to the US rose about 7 percent year-on-year through September despite these challenges.
At a recent Export Forum, industry leaders and government officials discussed these issues. The anticipated new government plans include measures to reduce energy costs by shifting renewable energy surcharges from consumers to the state, aiming to improve conditions for producers and exporters. However, the future remains uncertain due to geopolitical and market dynamics, particularly regarding energy prices and trade policies.
