The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in July 2013 gave a 18.2 billion euro surplus, compared with +13.9 bn in July 2012. The June 2013 balance was +16.5 bn, compared with +12.8 bn in June 2012. In July 2013 compared with June 2013, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.6% and imports by 0.1%. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The first estimate for the July 2013 extra-EU28 trade balance was a 10.4 bn euro surplus, compared with +1.3 bn in July 2012. In June 2013 the balance was +9.0 bn, compared with -1.7 bn in June 2012. In July 2013 compared with June 2013, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.0% while imports rose by 0.3%.

EU28 detailed results for January to June 2013

The EU28 deficit for energy decreased (-188.4 bn euro in January-June 2013 compared with -211.9 bn in January-June 2012), while the surplus for manufactured goods increased (+195.7 bn compared with +164.3 bn).

EU28 imports from most of its major partners fell in January-June 2013 compared with January-June 2012, except for Turkey and India (both +3%). The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Japan (-16%), Brazil (-14%), Norway (-13%) and South Korea (-11%). As regards EU28 exports the pattern was mixed. The largest increases were registered for exports to Switzerland (+33%) and Turkey (+7%), while falls were recorded for exports to the USA, China, Japan and India (all -2%).

The EU28 trade surplus increased significantly with Switzerland (+44.2 bn euro in January-June 2013 compared with +21.2 bn in January-June 2012) and rose more moderately with the USA (+43.9 bn compared with +41.1 bn), Turkey (+14.9 bn compared with +13.0 bn) and Brazil (+3.6 bn compared with +0.3 bn). The EU28 trade deficit fell with China (-62.2 bn compared with -68.5 bn), Russia (-44.9 bn compared with -49.1 bn), Norway (-20.1 bn compared with -28.3 bn) and Japan (-1.8 bn compared with -6.5 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+98.0 bn euro in January-June 2013), followed by the Netherlands (+28.0 bn), Ireland (+18.6 bn) and Italy (+12.3 bn). France (-38.0 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by the United Kingdom (-31.7 bn) and Greece (-9.7 bn).