Exports in May dropped by €113.7 million compared to the May 2014, while imports rose by €144.7 million, official figures issued today show.
The National Statistics Office said the increase in the value of imports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment (€257.1 million). Other increases were recorded for semi-manufactured goods, food, miscellaneous transactions and commodities, and crude materials.
With regard to exports, mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials accounted for the main decrease (€111.5 million), while miscellaneous manufactured articles, semi-manufactured goods, beverages and tobacco, miscellaneous transactions and commodities, and machinery and transport equipment also registered
January-May 2015
During the first five months this year, the trade deficit widened by €549.0 million, to €1,181.4 million when compared to the corresponding period last year.
Imports increased by €325.2 million, while exports registered a decline of €223.7 million. Higher imports were mainly due to machinery and transport equipment (€680.0 million), while the decrease in the value of exports was triggered by lower mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€239.5 million), machinery and transport equipment (€10.0 million), and beverages and tobacco (€4.2 million).