According to the Statistical Office of Serbia, the country’s foreign trade turnover reached €49.27 billion in January–August 2025, an 8.3% increase compared to the previous year. Exports grew by 8.6% to €21.76 billion, while imports increased by 8% to €27.51 billion, leaving a deficit of €5.76 billion. The EU remains the country’s largest trading partner, accounting for 58% of the total, while the CEFTA region ranks second, generating a surplus of €1.94 billion.
The growth in trade is also impacting the transport market. In the first half of 2025, road transport accounted for 63.7% of freight turnover, while rail’s share fell to 15.2%, amid a 12.5% decline in volume. Against this backdrop, the opening of the intermodal terminal in Batajnica near Belgrade, co-financed by the EU and the Serbian government, was an important step. The 82-hectare complex connects road and rail routes on international corridors, is equipped with a container yard, and has convenient access to the Belgrade bypass and Corridor X.
Batajnica is already being integrated into European supply chains: in September, an agreement was signed to establish the “Ausava” corridor between Italy and Serbia, involving the Port of Trieste. The new route aims to accelerate and “green” cargo deliveries, strengthening Serbia’s role as a key regional logistics hub. The impact of Serbian projects is already being felt in neighboring countries, where intermodal traffic increased by more than 120% in 2024.