The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in April 2013 gave a 14.9 billion euro surplus, compared with +3.3 bn in April 2012. The March 2013 balance was +22.5 bn, compared with +6.9 bn in March 2012. In April 2013 compared with March 2013, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 0.8% while imports rose by 0.5%. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The first estimate for the April 2013 extra-EU271 trade balance was a 9.2 bn euro surplus, compared with -13.4 bn in April 2012. In March 20132 the balance was +15.9 bn, compared with -8.2 bn in March 2012. In April 2013 compared with March 2013, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 0.2% while imports remained stable.

EU27 detailed results for January to March 2013

The EU27 deficit for energy decreased (-96.2 bn euro in January-March 2013 compared with -111.1 bn in January-March 2012), while the surplus for manufactured goods increased (+91.1 bn compared with +76.5 bn).

EU27 imports from most of its major partners fell in January-March 2013 compared with January-March 2012, except for Turkey (+3%). The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Norway and Japan (both -16%) and Brazil (-14%). As regards EU27 exports, the pattern was mixed. The largest increase was recorded for exports to Switzerland (+19%), and the largest fall with India (-11%).

The EU27 trade surplus increased with the USA (+22.3 bn euro in January-March 2013 compared with +18.4 bn in January-March 2012), Switzerland (+19.2 bn compared with +11.4 bn) and Turkey (+6.5 bn compared with +5.7 bn). The EU27 trade deficit declined with China (-33.6 bn compared with -34.2 bn), Russia (-25.7 bn compared with -27.0 bn), Norway (-10.7 bn compared with -15.7 bn) and Japan (-0.9 bn compared with -3.4 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+49.3 bn euro in January-March 2013), followed by the Netherlands (+15.1 bn) and Ireland (+8.9 bn). The United Kingdom (-24.1 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-20.1 bn), Greece (-5.3 bn) and Spain (-4.7 bn).