For the first time in over a year, Sweden’s export industry is looking ahead with cautious optimism. According to the latest Export Managers’ Index (EMI) from Business Sweden, sentiment among the nation’s exporters has shifted into positive territory, landing at 51 points for the third quarter. The threshold between optimism and pessimism sits at 50—making this the first sign of renewed confidence after months of uncertainty.
The upbeat outlook comes against the backdrop of global trade tensions, shifting currency values, and a cooling European economy. Yet Swedish exporters—ranging from industrial giants to niche technology firms—appear better equipped than many feared.
“Companies seem to be able to handle both the tariffs and a stronger krona,” says Lena Sellgren, chief economist at Business Sweden. Her assessment reflects a wider resilience across industries that have spent much of the past year recalibrating supply chains and adapting pricing strategies to unpredictable trade conditions.
Economists caution that challenges remain, particularly with fluctuating international demand and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Still, the result of the index suggests that corporate leaders believe their hard-tested adjustments are starting to pay off.
For Sweden—where the export sector is a backbone of the economy—the shift toward confidence is more than just a statistic. It signals a renewed willingness to invest, hire, and compete in global markets despite the headwinds.
As the rest of 2025 unfolds, exporters will be looking to see if this fragile confidence can build into sustained momentum. For now, at least, the mood has turned brighter.