The Italian trade balance with non-EU countries improves. According to data released by Istat, in October the balance showed a surplus of 4.038 million euros (up by 2.805 million compared to the same month in 2013), reaching the highest level since January 1993. The increase in surplus on an annual basis derives from a 0,8% growth in exports and a sharp drop in imports (-7,8%), mainly due to the collapse of energy purchases, -31,6%.
Compared to the month of September, on the other hand, exports and imports to non-EU countries both recorded a contraction of 1,2%. The decrease (-6,4%) of capital goods weighs on exports, the contraction (-7,1%) of energy purchases on imports.
Last month the most dynamic outlet markets were Turkey (+13,1%), United States (+9,8%) and China (+4,8%), while sales to Japan (-21,7% ), Russia (-15,7%) and ASEAN (-10,6%) are in marked decline. Imports from OPEC countries (-29,9%) and Russia (-19,6%) are in sharp decline.
