The FINANCIAL — Euro area
The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in December 2016 was €178.6 billion, an increase of 6% compared with December 2015 (€168.7 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €150.5 bn, a rise of 4% compared with December 2015 (€144.4 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €28.1 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2016, compared with +€24.4 bn in December 2015. Intra-euro area trade rose to €137.4 bn in December 2016, up by 5% compared with December 2015.
In January to December 2016, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world stood at €2 047.8 bn (nearly stable compared with January-December 2015) and imports at €1 774.0 bn (a decrease of 2% compared with January-December 2015). As a result the euro area recorded a surplus of €273.9 bn, compared with +€238.7 bn in January-December 2015. Intra-euro area trade rose to €1 709.3 bn in January-December 2016, up by 1% compared with January-December 2015.
European Union
The first estimate for extra-EU28 exports of goods in December 2016 was €164.4 billion, up by 5% compared with December 2015 (€156.1 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €143.5 bn, up by 6% compared with December 2015 (€135.4 bn). As a result, the EU28 recorded a €20.9 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2016, compared with +€20.6 bn in December 2015. Intra-EU28 trade rose to €247.7 bn in December 2016, +5% compared with December 2015.
In January to December 2016, extra-EU28 exports of goods stood at €1 745.7 bn (a decrease of 2% compared with January-December 2015) and imports at €1 706.4 bn (a decrease of 1% compared with January-December 2015). As a result, the EU28 recorded a surplus of €39.3 bn, compared with +€59.9 bn in January-December 2015.
Intra-EU28 trade rose to €3 108.8 bn in January-December 2016, +1% compared with January-December 2015.