Exports increase by €27.6 million over April 2011

Provisional data for international trade show that the visible trade gap in April stood at €84.2 million, down by €126.2 million when compared to the corresponding month last year.

There was a decrease in imports of €98.6 million, while exports registered an increase of €27.6 million. The decrease in imports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment, with other significant decreases registered for food and semi-manufactured goods. Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials accounted for the main increase in exports when compared to the corresponding month in 2011. Other increases were recorded in chemicals, crude materials, beverages and tobacco, and semi-manufactured goods.

January-April 2012

In the first four months this year, the visible trade gap narrowed by €251.4 million to €362.4 million. The increase in imports of €25.6 million was mainly due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, with other increases recorded in beverages and tobacco, and crude materials.

The rise in exports of €277.1 million was primarily due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials. Other minor increases were noted in miscellaneous manufactured articles, beverages and tobacco, and semi-manufactured goods.

The bulk of Malta's trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed towards the European Union. Increases were registered in imports from Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium, while there were decreases from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain.

Exports to the euro area went up, mainly to France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. Decreases in exports were recorded mainly for the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Singapore.