On the current account side of the balance of payments, Lebanon’s balance of trade deficit widened by $180.14 million (5.56%) on an annual basis to just above $3.42 billion during the first quarter of 2025, up from around $3.24 billion in the same period in 2024, according to statistics published by the Lebanese Customs Administration. Said rise in the deficit was triggered by some $225.40 million annual increase (30.83%) in exports to $956 million, which was eroded by the $405.64 million increase (10.21%) in imports to just below $4.38 billion.

Switzerland led the list of countries importing from Lebanon, with its imports’ invoice aggregating to $277 million (28.93% of Lebanon’s exports). China, on the other hand, topped the list of countries exporting to Lebanon, with its exports bill reaching $487 million (11.12% of Lebanon’s imports). This is further elaborated in the tables below:

Exports of “pearls, precious stones and metals” accounted alone for 43.25% ($414 million) of total Lebanese exports up to March 2025, followed by “base metals and their products” ($141 million <14.79%>), “prepared foodstuffs; beverages & tobacco” ($99 million <10.40%>), and “products of the chemical industry” ($66 million <6.87%>). On the other hand, “mineral products” constituted the lion’s share of imported goods ($1,257 million <28.71%>), trailed by “pearls, precious stones and metals” ($525 million <12.00%>), “products of the chemical industry” ($376 million <8.58%>), and “machinery; electrical instruments” ($347 million <7.92%>).