The trade deficit widened by €19 million in September when compared to the same month last year, the National Statistics Office said.

In a statement it said provisional data for international trade showed that the trade deficit in September stood at €75.6 million, up by €19 million when compared to 2012 levels. Decreases were recorded in both imports and exports of €8.5 million and €27.6 million, respectively.

The NSO said that between January and September, the trade deficit narrowed by €64.2 million, to €1,395.8 million.

The decrease in imports of €470.2 million was mainly due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, with other decreases recorded for all other major commodity groups.

Exports registered a decrease in value of €406 million, which was primarily due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials.

A substantial amount of Malta’s trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed towards the European Union. Increases were registered in imports from the Netherlands and Belgium, while decreases were noted from Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Exports to the euro area declined, mainly to France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and Belgium, while increases in exports were recorded for United Arab Emirates, Libya, India, Saudi Arabia and China.