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The first estimate for the euro area (EA18) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in January 2014 gave a 0.9 billion euro surplus, compared with -5.4 bn in January 2013. The December 2013 balance was +13.8 bn, compared with +9.7 bn in December 2012. These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Euro area annual inflation was 0.7% in February 2014, down from 0.8% in January. A year earlier the rate was 1.8%. Monthly inflation was 0.3% in February 2014.

In January 2014 compared with December 2013, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.2% in the euro area (EA18) and rose by 0.1% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2013 industrial production decreased by 0.4% in both zones.

In 2012, energy from renewable sources was estimated to have contributed 14.1% of gross final energy consumption in the EU28, compared with 8.3% in 2004, the first year for which this data is available. The share of renewables in gross final energy consumption is one of the headline indicators of the Europe 2020 strategy. The target to be reached by 2020 for the EU28 is a share of 20% renewable energy use in gross final energy consumption. The national targets take into account the Member States' different starting points, renewable energy potential and economic performance.

In January 2014 compared with December 2013, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 1.6% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.9% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2013 retail trade fell by 1.3% and 0.7% respectively.

In January 2014, compared with December 2013, industrial producer prices fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.4% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2013 prices increased by 0.2% in both zones.

Euro area annual inflation was 0.8% in January 2014, stable compared to December 2013. A year earlier the rate was 2.0%. Monthly inflation was -1.1% in January 2014.

EU28 exports to Brazil increased steadily between 2003 and 2008, before falling in line with the general effects of the financial crisis on EU trade in 2009, and then recovered very strongly to reach new record levels in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Imports also increased steadily until 2008 and then fell sharply, with a recovery afterwards, peaking in 2011 and then falling in 2012. EU28 exports to Brazil in 2012 amounted to 39.7 billion euro and imports to 37.4 bn. The EU28 registered a continuous deficit in trade in goods with Brazil up to 2011, with a peak in 2007, turning to a surplus of 2.3 bn in 2012.

In December 2013 compared with November 2013, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector grew by 0.9% in the euro area (EA17) and by 1.0% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November 2013, production in construction fell by 0.2% and 0.8% respectively.

Over the last two decades, gross inland energy consumption in the EU28, which stood at 1 670 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 1990, rose to a peak of 1 830 Mtoe in 2006 and then decreased to 1 680 Mtoe in 2012. Between 2006 and 2012, gross inland energy consumption in the EU28 has fallen by 8%.