These data are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.


The first estimate for the euro area1 (EA15) trade balance with the rest of the world in February 2008 gave a 0.8 bn euro surplus, compared with -1.6 bn in February 2007. The January 20082 balance was -11.0 bn, compared with -7.3 bn in January 2007. In February 2008 compared with January 2008, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.0% while imports fell by 0.4%.

The first estimate for the February 2008 extra-EU271 trade balance was a deficit of 15.3 bn euro, compared with -17.5 bn in February 2007. In January 20082, the balance was -31.2 bn, compared with -26.0 bn in January 2007. In February 2008 compared with January 2008, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 3.3% while imports fell by 0.7%.


EU27 January 2008 detailed results The EU27 energy deficit increased (-31.1 bn euro in January 2008 compared with -21.6 bn in January 2007), while the surplus rose for machinery and vehicles (+7.8 bn compared with +4.8 bn). EU27 trade with most of its major partners grew, with the exception of exports to the USA (-2% in January 2008 compared with January 2007) and Japan (0%), and imports from Japan (-3%). The largest increases were recorded for exports to Russia (+28%) and China (+27%), and for imports from Norway (+32%) and Russia (+27%).

The EU27 trade surplus fell with the USA (+4.5 bn euro in January 2008 compared with +5.1 bn in January 2007) but rose with Switzerland (+1.5 bn compared with +1.2 bn). The EU27 trade deficit grew with China (-15.4 bn compared with -14.7 bn), Russia (-7.2 bn compared with -5.8 bn) and Norway (-4.7 bn compared with -3.0 bn), but decreased with Japan (-2.8 bn compared with -3.0 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+17.1 bn euro in January 2008), followed by the Netherlands (+3.2 bn). The United Kingdom (-12.1 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by Spain (-9.1 bn), France (-5.5 bn), Italy (-4.1 bn) and Greece (-2.9 bn).


Available at:

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008_MONTH_04/6-17042008-EN-AP.PDF