The first estimate for the euro area (EA18) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in January 2014 gave a 0.9 billion euro surplus, compared with -5.4 bn in January 2013. The December 2013 balance was +13.8 bn, compared with +9.7 bn in December 2012. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The first estimate for the January 2014 extra-EU28 trade balance was a 13.0 bn euro deficit, compared with -17.7 bn in January 2013. In December 2013 the balance was +8.1 bn, compared with -2.4 bn in December 2012. In January 2014 compared with December 2013, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.6% and imports by 2.2%.

EU28 detailed results for 2013

The EU28 deficit for energy decreased (-381.6 bn euro in 2013 compared with -422.7 bn in 2012), while the surplus for manufactured goods increased (+390.5 bn compared with +356.5 bn).

EU28 imports from most of its major partners fell in 2013 compared with 2012, except for Turkey (+4%). The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Japan (-13%), Brazil (-12%), Switzerland and Norway (both -11%). The pattern was mixed for EU28 exports, with the largest increases registered for exports to Switzerland (+27%), South Korea (+6%), China and Turkey (both +3%) and the most notable falls for exports to India (-7%), Russia and Japan (both -3%).

The EU28 trade surplus increased significantly with Switzerland (+75.3 bn euro in 2013 compared with +27.6 bn in 2012), and more moderately with the USA (+92.0 bn compared with +86.3 bn), Turkey (+27.5 bn compared with +27.1 bn) and Brazil (+7.1 bn compared with +2.2 bn). The EU28 trade deficit fell with China (-131.8 bn compared with -147.6 bn), Russia (-86.8 bn compared with -91.7 bn), Norway (-39.8 bn compared with -51.1 bn) and Japan (-2.4 bn compared with -9.2 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+199.6 bn euro in 2013), followed by the Netherlands (+55.2 bn), Ireland (+36.8 bn), Italy (+30.4 bn), Belgium (+14.1 bn), the Czech Republic (+13.6 bn) and Denmark (+10.3 bn). The United Kingdom (-84.7 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-76.0 bn), Greece (-19.3 bn) and Spain (-16.9 bn).