The first estimate for the euro area (EA18) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in February 2014 gave a 13.6 billion euro surplus, compared with +9.8 bn in February 2013. The January 2014 balance was +0.8 bn, compared with -4.8 bn in January 2013. In February 2014 compared with January 2014, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.2% and imports by 0.6%.

The first estimate for the February 2014 extra-EU28 trade balance was a 4.4 bn euro surplus, compared with +1.2 bn in February 2013. In January 2014 the balance was -13.3 bn, compared with -17.2 bn in January 2013. In February 2014 compared with January 2014, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.9% while imports fell by 0.5%.

EU28 detailed results for January 2014

The EU28 deficit for energy decreased (-32.5 bn euro in January 2014 compared with -34.9 bn in January 2013), while the surplus for machinery and vehicles increased (+14.9 bn compared with +14.3 bn).

EU28 imports from most of its major partners fell in January 2014 compared with January 2013, except for Turkey (+3%) and China (+1%), while they remained stable with India. The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Russia (-10%), Japan (-7%) and Brazil (-5%). For EU28 exports, the largest increases were registered with China (+12%) and Japan (+8%), and the most notable falls for exports to Brazil and Russia (both -10%) and Turkey (-5%).

The EU28 trade surplus increased with the USA (+6.6 bn euro in January 2014 compared with +6.1 bn in January 2013), decreased with Turkey (+1.3 bn compared with +1.7 bn) and remained stable with Switzerland (+5.7 bn). The EU28 trade deficit fell with China (-13.6 bn compared with -14.6 bn) and Russia (-9.3 bn compared with -10.4 bn) and remained stable with Norway (-3.8 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+15.3 bn euro in January 2014), followed by the Netherlands (+5.0 bn), Ireland (+2.4 bn) and the Czech Republic (+1.6 bn). The United Kingdom (-9.6 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-8.2 bn), Spain (-2.5 bn) and Greece (-1.6 bn).