The trade deficit widened by €116.7 million in October when compared to the corresponding month last year, according to preliminary figures published by the National Statistics Office.

The NSO said the figures showed the deficit in October at €183.8 million, up by €116.7 million when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Decreases were recorded in both imports and exports of €5.9 million and €122.6 million, respectively.

The decrease in the value of imports was primarily due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials. This sector also accounted also for the main decrease in exports.

Between January and October, the trade deficit widened by €70.5 million, to €1,604.4 million. As in October, the decrease in imports of €478.9 million was mainly due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, with other decreases recorded for all the other major commodity groups except for machinery and transport equipment.

Exports registered a decrease in value of €549.4 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 Greece, while decreases were noted from Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Exports to the euro area declined, mainly to France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany. Increases in exports were recorded for Greece, Libya, India, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea.