The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in May 2013 gave a 15.2 billion euro surplus, compared with +6.6 bn in May 2012. The April 20132 balance was +14.1 bn, compared with +3.3 bn in April 2012. In May 2013 compared with April 2013, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 2.3% and imports by 2.2%. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
The first estimate for the May 2013 extra-EU271 trade balance was a 15.8 bn euro surplus, compared with -4.9 bn in May 2012. In April 20132 the balance was +8.8 bn, compared with -13.4 bn in April 2012. In May 2013 compared with April 2013, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.5% and imports by 2.1%.
EU27 detailed results for January to April 2013
The EU27 deficit for energy decreased (-127.9 bn euro in January-April 2013 compared with -146.6 bn in January-April 2012), while the surplus for manufactured goods increased (+128.3 bn compared with +102.7 bn).
EU27 imports from most of its major partners fell in January-April 2013 compared with January-April 2012, except for Turkey (+5%) and India (+3%). The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Norway (-16%), Japan (-14%) and Brazil (-11%). EU27 exports to most of its major partners grew in January-April 2013 compared with January-April 2012, except for India (-5%) and China (0%). The largest increase was recorded for exports to Switzerland (+25%).
The EU27 trade surplus increased with the USA (+30.5 bn euro in January-April 2013 compared with +24.1 bn in January-April 2012), Switzerland (+27.0 bn compared with +14.5 bn) and Turkey (+9.1 bn compared with +7.9 bn). The EU27 trade deficit fell with China (-41.8 bn compared with -44.8 bn), Russia (-32.9 bn compared with -35.5 bn), Norway (-13.7 bn compared with -20.7 bn) and Japan (-1.3 bn compared with -4.5 bn).
Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+67.3 bn euro in January-April 2013), followed by the Netherlands (+19.2 bn) and Ireland (+12.1 bn). The United Kingdom (-29.2 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-25.8 bn), Greece (-6.6 bn) and Spain (-5.7 bn).
