Exports grew by €49 million April compared to the same month in 2009, while imports were down by €15 million, according to NSO figures issued today.

The visible trade gap in April stood at €68.9 million, down by €64.0 million when compared to the corresponding month in 2009.

The decrease in imports was mainly due to capital goods and consumer goods, while an increase was registered in industrial supplies and fuels and lubricants.

Machinery and transport equipment and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials accounted for the main increase in exports during April when compared to the corresponding month last year. Other increases were also registered in semi-manufactured goods, chemicals, miscellaneous transactions and commodities, and food.

In the first four months this year, the visible trade gap narrowed by €182.1 million to €306.0 million. This came about because of a decrease of €6.3 million in imports and an increase of €175.8 million in exports, when compared to the corresponding period in 2009.

The decline in imports was mainly due to capital goods and consumer goods. During this period the increase in exports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials. Other increases were registered in food, chemicals, semi-manufactured goods, miscellaneous transactions and commodities, crude materials and beverages and tobacco.

During the first four months the bulk of Malta's trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed towards the European Union. Drops were registered in imports from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, while increases were recorded from Italy, France, Spain and Belgium. Exports to the euro area show an increase, with other increases recorded for the United States of America and Japan.