Italy's trade balance with the rest of the world showed, in January 2013, a negative balance of 1,619 billion, a clear improvement over the deficit of 4,6 billion in the same period of the previous year. The figure is the synthesis of a surplus of 0,7 billion euros with respect to EU countries and a deficit of 2,3 billion euros with respect to non-EU countries. This was communicated by Istat, which specifies how the balance in the trade of non-energy products is positive for 3,8 billion.
Compared to December 2012, January was registered an increase for both trade flows: +1,4% for exports and +0,4% for imports. On a monthly basis, exports to non-EU countries grew by 3,9%, while sales to EU countries decreased by 0,7%. As far as imports are concerned, the increase can be explained by the growth in purchases on non-EU markets.
YoY, exports posted an 8,7% increase, while imports experienced a decrease of 1,8%. The growth of exports to ASEAN countries, Belgium and Opec countries was very marked. The decline in imports is mainly attributable to the decline in purchases of crude oil and motor vehicles.
