(BRUSSELS) – The EU recorded a surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world of EUR 3.0 bn in February, compared with +EUR 1.8 bn in February 2015, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.
The first estimate for extra-EU28 exports of goods in February 2016 was 137.1 billion, down by 1% compared with February 2015 (138.2 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at 134.1 bn, down by 2% compared with February 2015 (136.4 bn).
In January to February 2016, extra-EU28 exports of goods fell to 258.6 bn (a decrease of 2% compared with January-February 2015) and imports fell to 266.7 bn (-3% compared with January-February 2015). As a result, the EU28 recorded a deficit of 8.1 bn, compared with -10.0 bn in January-February 2015. Intra-EU28 trade rose to 496.0 bn in January-February 2016, +2% compared with January-February 2015.
Euro area
The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in February 2016 was 163.5 billion, an increase of 1% compared with February 2015 (161.4 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at 144.4 bn, a rise of 2% compared with February 2015 (141.5 bn).
As a result, the euro area recorded a 19.0 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in February 2016, compared with +20.0 bn in February 2015. Intra-euro area trade rose to 141.0 bn in February 2016, up by 3% compared with February 2015.
In January to February 2016, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world stood at 308.5 bn, nearly stable compared with January-February 2015. Imports stood at 281.5 bn, also nearly stable compared to January February 2015.
As a result the euro area recorded a surplus of 27.1 bn, compared with +27.0 bn in January February 2015. Intra-euro area trade rose to 273.0 bn in January-February 2016, up by 1% compared with January-February 2015.
