The external trade balance of goods of the European Union recorded a surplus in the second quarter after six consecutive semesters of deficit, with all the main indicators falling.
The foreign trade balance of goods of the European Union (EU) registered, in the second quarter of the year, a surplus of one billion euros, after six consecutive semesters in deficit, Eurostat announced on Monday.
According to data from the European statistical service, between April and June imports into the EU receded 3.5% and exports 2.0%, compared to the first three months of the year, which resulted in a surplus of billion euro in the foreign trade balance of goods.
Eurostat also notes that the recoil of imports in the second semester is due to the fall of 15.6% in energy products and 10.9% in raw materials, compared to the previous period.
Regarding EU exports, all sectors showed a softeningexcept machinery and vehicles (2.5%), with the largest decreases being observed in sales of energy (-22.5%) and raw materials (-9.3%) to third countries.
In the third quarter of 2022, the EU recorded a deficit of 115 billion euros in the foreign trade of goods, the highest since 2019.
Source: Observadora
