Eurozone Trade Surplus Falls Sharply on Strong Imports

Brussels, 18 Mar (ONA) —- The euro area trade surplus declined sharply in January as imports logged a notable growth, figures from Eurostat showed today.

The trade surplus fell to €1 billion ($1.09 billion) in January from €10.6 billion in the last year (2024). The surplus totalled €15.4 billion in December.

Exports moved up 3.0% annually, slightly faster than the 2.9% rise in December. Meanwhile, growth in imports accelerated to 7.6% from 3.6%.

Eurostat said two product groups drove the decrease in trade surplus with a negative change. Machineries and vehicles posted the largest decline, falling to €7.4 billion from €16.5 billion in December. Other manufactured goods shifted to a deficit of €4.6 billion from a surplus of €1.2 billion.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports grew 2.1% and imports advanced 2.3%. As a result, the trade surplus slightly decreased to €14.0 billion, down from €14.2 billion in December.

—- Ends/Khalid