Cabo Verde's trade deficit widened by 255.5% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026, driven by what the archipelago's National Statistics Institute (INE) described as "an extraordinary factor" — the large-scale importation of aviation engines.

"The trade deficit deteriorated, rising from €447 million in the third quarter of 2025 to €1.6 billion in the same period of 2026, representing a worsening of 255.5%," the INE said in a statistical note.

The category of "reactors and boilers" accounted for 66.4% of total imports during the period, followed by fuels at 17.1% and motor vehicles at 1.8%.

According to the INE, the sharp increase in that category "was essentially driven by the importation of reciprocating or rotary piston engines destined for aviation, sourced from Portugal." The institute characterised the transaction as "a specific equipment import operation."

"The growth recorded in this category does not reflect a generalised upward trend in imports of this type of equipment," the INE concluded.

Portugal remained the archipelago's principal supplier, accounting for close to three-quarters of all Cabo Verdean imports during the quarter.

On the export side of the trade balance, outbound shipments grew 11.8%, though they totalled just €24 million. Europe is Cabo Verde's primary export market, with fish and canned goods continuing to lead the country's foreign sales.