EUROPEAN UNION Euro Area International Trade in Goods Surplus 17.3 Bn Euro; 9.9 Bn Euro Surplus, for EU27 Brussels (EU) – According to data published today by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, the first estimate for the euro area (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 20132 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%. The first estimate for the June 2013 extra-EU27 trade balance was a 9.9 bn euro surplus, compared with -1.0 bn in June 2012. In May 2013 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%. 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). EU27 imports 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).
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 14:03:22 +0000