Euro area international trade in goods surplus €10.4 billion

The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in February 2013 gave a €10.4 billion surplus, compared with +€1.3 billion in February 2012.

The January 2013 balance was -€4.7 billion, compared with -€9.2 billion in January 2012, according to Eurostat figures.

In February 2013 compared with January 2013, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.1% while imports fell by 2.1%.

The first estimate for the February 2013 extra-EU27 trade balance was a €1.8 billion euro surplus, compared with -€13.1 billion in February 2012.

In January 2013 the balance was -€16.8 billion, compared with -€25.0 billion in January 2012.

In February 2013 compared with January 2013, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 0.1% and imports by 2.3%.

The EU27 deficit for energy decreased (-€34.7 billion euro in January 2013 compared with -€36.2 billion in January 2012), while the surplus for manufactured goods increased (+€18.1 billion compared with +€14.4 billion).

EU27 exports to most of its major partners grew in January 2013 compared with January 2012, except for India (-10%).

The most notable increases were recorded for exports to Turkey (+13%), Russia (+11%) and Norway (+10%).

As regards EU27 imports, the pattern was mixed. The largest increases were recorded for imports from Turkey (+11%) and Russia (+7%), and the largest falls with Norway and Japan (both -12%).

The EU27 trade surplus increased with the USA (+€5.9 billion euro in January 2013 compared with +€5.1 billion in January 2012) and Switzerland (+€5.6 billion compared with +€4.7 billion).

The EU27 trade deficit declined with China (-€14.5 billion compared with -€14.8 billion), Norway (-€3.8 billion compared with -€5.3 billion) and Japan (-€0.4 billion compared with -€1.3 billion), but rose with Russia (-€10.4 billion compared with -€9.9 billion).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+€13.6 billion euro in January 2013), followed by the Netherlands (+€4.8 billion) and Ireland (+€2.3 billion).

The United Kingdom (-€8.9 billion) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-€8.2 billion) and Spain (-€3.2 billion).