In April the foreign trade turnover of Latvia was 9.5% larger than a year ago, of which the exports value of goods was 2.9% and imports value of goods 15.3% higher, show provisional data of the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau.
According to data published by the body, in April Latvia exported goods in the amount of EUR 1.06 billion, but imported – in the amount of EUR 1.35 billion. Compared to April 2018, foreign trade balance has worsened as exports in total foreign trade amount decreased from 46.8% to 44%.
Over the first four months of this year, the foreign trade turnover of Latvia at current prices has reached EUR 9.12 billion, up by EUR 479.5 million or by 5.5% YoY.
The exports value constituted EUR 4.13 billion (up by EUR 136.2 million or by 3.4%), whereas the imports value – EUR 4.99 billion (up by EUR 343.3 million or by 7.4%), official statistics’ body reports.
Calendar and seasonally adjusted data show that, compared to April 2018, in April 2019 the exports value at current prices went up by 2.6% and the imports value by 14%, whereas, compared to the previous month, the exports value decreased by 2%, but the imports value increased by 1.1%.
Main changes in exports in April 2019, compared to April 2018:
– exports of products of the chemical and allied industries up by EUR 0.1 million or by 13.6%,
– exports of wood and articles of wood up by EUR 9.9 million or by 5.1%,
– exports of basic metals and articles of basic metals up by EUR 8.5 million or by 9.3%,
– exports of machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment up by EUR 5.4 million or by 3.4%,
– export of articles of stone, plaster, cement, glassware and ceramic products down by EUR 3.7 million or by 12.5%.
Main changes in imports in April 2019, compared to April 2018:
– imports of vehicles and associated transport equipment up by EUR 59.4 million or by 48.8%,
– imports of products of the chemical and allied industries up by EUR 41 million or by 34.9%,
– imports of basic metals and articles of basic metals up by EUR 24.1 million or by 23.7%,
– imports of live animals, animal products up by EUR 7.7 million or by 20.4%,
– imports of prepared foodstuffs up by EUR 7.3 million or by 7.5%.
In April, the main export partners of Latvia in trade with EU countries were Lithuania (17.6% of total exports), Estonia (12.4%), Sweden (6.8%) and Germany (6.7%), whereas the main import partners were Lithuania (17.4% of total imports), Germany (10.7%), Poland (9.3%) and Estonia (8.5%). The main partner in trade with third countries was Russia, share of which in total Latvian exports in April accounted for 7.5%, but in imports – 6.2%, the provisional data from the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau showed. (BNN/Business World Magazine)
