The FINANCIAL — Euro area
The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in March 2018 was €199.9 billion, a decrease of 2.9% compared with March 2017 where they peaked at €205.9 bn. Imports from the rest of the world stood at €173.0 bn, a fall of 2.5% compared with March 2017 (€177.4 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €26.9 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in March 2018, compared with +€28.5 bn in March 2017. Intra-euro area trade fell to €170.5 bn in March 2018, down by 0.6% compared with March 2017.
In January to March 2018, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world rose to €555.7 bn (an increase of 2.5% compared with January-March 2017), while imports rose to €506.3 bn (an increase of 1.4% compared with January-March 2017). As a result the euro area recorded a surplus of €49.4 bn, compared with +€42.9 bn in January-March 2017. Intra-euro area trade rose to €485.6 bn in January-March 2018, up by 4.1% compared with January-March 2017.
European Union
The first estimate for extra-EU28 exports of goods in March 2018 was €172.1 billion, down by 2.4% compared with March 2017 (€176.4 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €160.6 bn, down by 4.2% compared with March 2017 (€167.7 bn). As a result, the EU28 recorded a €11.5 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in March 2018, compared with +€8.7 bn in March 2017. Intra-EU28 trade fell to €305.2 bn in March 2018, down by 1.7% compared with March 2017.
In January to March 2018, extra-EU28 exports of goods rose to €471.4 bn (an increase of 1.5% compared with January-March 2017), while imports rose to €477.4 bn (an increase of 0.8% compared with January-March 2017). As a result, the EU28 recorded a deficit of €6.1 bn, compared with -€9.1 bn in January-March 2017. Intra-EU28 trade rose to €874.1 bn in January-March 2018, +3.7% compared with January-March 2017.
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