The difference between the total value of export of commodities and import of commodities of the given country or group of countries. In case of overbalance of export of commodities over import of commodities, positive balance is recorded, in case of overbalance of import of commodities over export of commodities, negative balance is recorded. The balance can be equalized when the value of export of commodities equals the value of import of commodities.

The balance can pertain to total trade, trade with one country only or a group of countries as well as a selected group of commodities or individual commodities. The balance of foreign trade turnover is an important indicator which determines the level of balancing the turnover of a given country or a group of countries.