The first estimate for the euro area (EA16) trade balance with the rest of the world in May 2009 gave a 1.9 bn euro surplus, compared with -3.8 bn in May 2008. The April 2009 balance was +2.7 bn, compared with +2.2 bn in April 2008. In May 2009 compared with April 2009, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 2.7% and imports by 2.8%.

The first estimate for the May 2009 extra-EU27 trade balance was a deficit of 6.8 bn euro, compared with -20.7 bn in May 2008. In April 2009 the balance was -8.2 bn, compared with -14.9 bn in April 2008. In May 2009 compared with April 2009, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.0% and imports by 3.2%.

EU27 January-April 2009 detailed results

The EU27 energy deficit decreased (-76.0 bn euro in January-April 2009 compared with -118.1 bn in January-April 2008), while the surplus fell for machinery and vehicles (+27.9 bn compared with +48.0 bn) and chemicals (+24.6 bn compared with +26.4 bn).

EU27 trade flows with all of its major partners fell. The largest decreases were recorded for exports to Russia (-38% in January-April 2009 compared with January-April 2008), Turkey (-36%), South Korea (-24%) and Norway (-22%), and for imports from Russia (-42%), Japan and Turkey (both -28%), Brazil (-27%) and Norway (-26%).

The EU27 trade surplus fell with the USA (+8.9 bn euro in January-April 2009 compared with +22.4 bn in January-April 2008) and Switzerland (+3.8 bn compared with +6.5 bn). The EU27 trade deficit decreased with China (-46.9 bn compared with -49.1 bn), Russia (-12.8 bn compared with -24.6 bn), Norway (-11.4 bn compared with -16.0 bn) and Japan (-7.5 bn compared with -12.1 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+36.8 bn euro in January-April 2009), followed by Ireland (+12.7 bn) and the Netherlands (+11.6 bn). The United Kingdom (-31.2 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-20.3 bn), Spain (-17.5 bn), Greece (-9.5 bn) and Portugal (-5.3 bn).