Malta registered a trade deficit of €256.3 million in May, down from €424 million in the same month a year ago.
Imports decreased by €104.9 million while exports increased by €62.8 million. The decrease in the value of imports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment. Chemicals accounted for the main increase in exports.
Comparing the first five months this year to the same period last year, however, the trade deficit widened by €154.4 million.
Imports increased by €70.2 million, while exports dropped by €84.2 million.
Malta’s trade imports from the European Union reached €1,113.5 million, or 39.8 per cent of total imports. There was a decrease of €308.3 million in imports from euro area countries when compared to the same period last year.