Euro Area International Trade in Goods Surplus 17.3 bn Euro

Euro area international trade in goods surplus 17.3 bn euro – 9.9 bn euro surplus for EU27

The first estimate for the euro area/1 (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in June 2013 gave a 17.3 billion euro surplus, compared with +12.8 bn in June 2012. The May 2013/2 balance was +14.5 bn, compared with +6.2 bn in May 2012. In June 2013 compared with May 2013, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 3.0% and imports by 2.5%. These data/3 are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The first estimate for the June 2013 extra-EU271 trade balance was a 9.9 bn euro surplus, compared with -1.0 bn in June 2012. In May 20132 the balance was +15.7 bn, compared with -5.2 bn in May 2012. In June 2013 compared with May 2013, seasonally adjusted exports remained stable and imports rose by 1.8%. EU27 detailed results for January to May 2013 The EU27 deficit for energy decreased (-157.5 bn euro in January-May 2013 compared with -178.5 bn in January-May 2012), while the surplus for manufactured goods increased (+163.0 bn compared with +133.3 bn).

EU27imports from most of its major partners fell in January-May 2013 compared with January-May 2012, except for Turkey and India (both +4%). The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Norway and Japan (both -15%) and Brazil (-13%). As regards EU27 exports the pattern was mixed. The largest increase was registered for exports to Switzerland (+33%), and the largest fall for exports to India (-4%).

The EU27 trade surplus increased with Switzerland (+37.7 bn euro in January-May 2013 compared with +18.1 bn in January-May 2012), the USA (+37.4 bn compared with +33.0 bn) and Turkey (+12.2 bn compared with +10.5 bn). The EU27 trade deficit fell with China (-52.3 bn compared with -56.8 bn), Russia (-39.5 bn compared with -43.1 bn), Norway (-16.8 bn compared with -24.8 bn) and Japan (-1.7 bn compared with -5.9 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+81.0 bn euro in January-May 2013), followed by the Netherlands (+24.3 bn), Ireland (+15.3 bn) and Italy(+8.7 bn). France (-32.9 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by the United Kingdom (-26.1 bn) and Greece (-8.0 bn).

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