Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1507625
11 NEWS 14.9.2023 Registered trade in goods in July recorded a deficit of €410.7 million PROVISIONAL data recorded a to- tal trade in goods deficit of €410.7 million during July, compared to a deficit of €817.3 million in the corre- sponding month of 2022. Data published by the National Statistics Office shows that imports amounted to €775.3 million, while exports totalled €364.6 million, rep- resenting declines in both imports and exports of €412.3 million and €5.6 million, respectively, over the same month of the previous year. The main decreases in imports were primarily due to Machinery and transport equipment (€319.1 mil- lion), and Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€79.5 million). On the exports side, the main de- crease was registered in Mineral fu- els, lubricants and related materials (€68.7 million), which was partly off- set by an increase in Machinery and transport equipment (€69.8 million). Total Trade in Goods: January-July 2023 During the first seven months of the year, the total trade in goods deficit narrowed by €537.0 million when compared to the corresponding peri- od of 2022, reaching €2,288.1 million. Imports stood at €4,755.1 million whereas exports reached €2,467.1 million, representing decreases of €561.3 million and €24.2 million, re- spectively. Lower imports were mainly re- corded in Machinery and transport equipment (€386.6 million), Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materi- als (€238.8 million), and Chemicals (€35.6 million), partly offset by in- creases in Food (€48.1 million), and Miscellaneous manufactured articles (€40.1 million). On the exports side, the main de- crease was registered in Mineral fu- els, lubricants and related materials (€167.6 million). This was partly off- set by an increase in Machinery and transport equipment (€158.3 mil- lion). Goods were imported mainly from the European Union (51.5 per cent) and Asia (21.1 per cent). Similarly, exports were mostly directed to the European Union (39.1 per cent) and Asia (14.6 per cent). From the top import countries in the month under review, the high- est increase in imports was recorded from the United Kingdom (€134.4 million), while imports from Italy registered the largest drop (€142.8 million). Exports to Germany registered the highest increase (€261.5 million), while those to France experienced the largest drop (€155.3 million). In July, the deficit of trade in goods excluding specific chapters amount- ed to €243.7 million, almost at par with that recorded in the same month of 2022. Imports and exports amounted to €458.2 million and €214.5 million, respectively, representing increases of 1.6 per cent and 3.4 per cent over the corresponding month of the pre- vious year. During the first seven months of 2023, the deficit of trade in goods excluding specific chapters widened by €172.3 million when compared to the same period of 2022, reaching €1,375.7 million. Imports and exports increased by 9.1 per cent and 5.1 per cent, respec- tively, reaching €3,027.1 million and €1,651.4 million. International Trade in Goods: Monthly Trade in Goods excluding specific chapters - Monthly Percentage change of Trade in Goods over the corresponding month of 2022