The first estimate for the euro area (EA16) trade balance with the rest of the world in July 2009 gave a 12.6 bn euro surplus, compared with -3.5 bn in July 2008. The June 2009 balance was +5.4 bn, compared with -0.8 bn in June 2008. In July 2009 compared with June 2009, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 4.1%, while imports fell by 0.3%.

The first estimate for the July 2009 extra-EU27 trade balance was a 0.7 bn euro surplus, compared with -22.4 bn in July 2008. In June 2009 the balance was -4.6 bn, compared with -19.9 bn in June 2008. In July 2009 compared with June 2009, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 3.3%, while imports fell by 0.6%.

EU27 January-June 2009 detailed results

The EU27 energy deficit decreased (-112.6 bn euro in January-June 2009 compared with -183.5 bn in January-June 2008), while the surplus fell for machinery and vehicles (+46.4 bn compared with +74.2 bn) and for chemicals (+38.0 bn compared with +39.9 bn).

EU27 trade flows with all of its major partners fell. The largest decreases were recorded for exports to Russia (-39% in January-June 2009 compared with January-June 2008), Turkey (-32%), South Korea (-27%) and Brazil (-23%), and for imports from Russia (-42%), Japan (-29%), Brazil, Norway and Turkey (each -28%).

The EU27 trade surplus fell with the USA (+15.9 bn euro in January-June 2009 compared with +32.7 bn in January-June 2008) and Switzerland (+6.4 bn compared with +9.6 bn). The EU27 trade deficit decreased with China (-65.3 bn compared with -72.6 bn), Russia (-20.6 bn compared with -38.1 bn), Norway (-16.8 bn compared with -26.0 bn) and Japan (-10.8 bn compared with -17.9 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+59.4 bn euro in January-June 2009), followed by Ireland (+19.4 bn) and the Netherlands (+17.5 bn). The United Kingdom (-46.4 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-28.8 bn), Spain (-23.9 bn), Greece (-14.5 bn) and Portugal (-8.4 bn).