The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in August 2013 gave a 7.1 billion euro surplus, compared with +4.6 bn in August 2012. The July 2013 balance was +18.0 bn, compared with +13.8 bn in July 2012. In August 2013 compared with July 2013, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.0% and imports by 0.2%. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The first estimate for the August 2013 extra-EU28 trade balance was a 2.8 bn euro deficit, compared with -14.9 bn in August 2012. In July 2013 the balance was +10.3 bn, compared with +1.2 bn in July 2012. In August 2013 compared with July 2013, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.3% while imports fell by 1.1%.

EU28 detailed results for January to July 2013

The EU28 deficit for energy decreased (-221.7 bn euro in January-July 2013 compared with -244.0 bn in January-July 2012), while the surplus for manufactured goods increased (+233.3 bn compared with +200.3 bn).

EU28 imports from most of its major partners fell in January-July 2013 compared with January-July 2012, except for Turkey (+4%) and India (+1%). The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Japan (-17%), Brazil (-14%), Norway (-11%) and South Korea (-9%). The pattern was mixed for EU28 exports, with the largest increases registered for exports to Switzerland (+33%) and Turkey (+7%), while the most notable falls were recorded for exports to the USA, Japan and India (all -3%).

The EU28 trade surplus increased significantly with Switzerland (+50.1 bn euro in January-July 2013 compared with +23.5 bn in January-July 2012) and more moderately with the USA (+52.5 bn compared with +49.4 bn), Turkey (+17.4 bn compared with +15.4 bn) and Brazil (+4.5 bn compared with +0.4 bn). The EU28 trade deficit fell with China (-72.9 bn compared with -81.4 bn), Russia (-51.0 bn compared with -53.2 bn), Norway (-24.2 bn compared with -32.0 bn) and Japan (-1.3 bn compared with -6.9 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+114.4 bn euro in January-July 2013), followed by the Netherlands (+32.7 bn), Ireland (+22.3 bn), Italy (+18.3 bn) and Belgium (+10.9 bn). France (-44.2 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by the United Kingdom (-38.0 bn) and Greece (-11.1 bn).