In March 2019, exports and imports of goods recorded nominal year-on-year growth rates of +3.8% and 12.1%, both decelerating when compared to the previous month (+4.7% and +12.7% in the same order, in February 2019). The increase in exports of Transport equipment (+16.7%) stood out, with a +3.1 p.p. contribution to the year-on-year nominal growth rate.
Excluding Fuels and lubricants, exports increased by 5.5% and imports grew by 12.5% (+7.4% and +13.2% respectively, in February 2019). 
The deficit of trade balance amounted to EUR 1,895 million in March 2019, increasing by EUR 573 million when compared to the same month of 2018. Excluding Fuels and lubricants, the trade balance stood at EUR -1,458 million, corresponding to an increase of EUR 449 million in the trade deficit when compared to March 2018.
In the 1st quarter 2019, exports and imports of goods grew by 4.0% and by 13.4% respectively, vis-à-vis the 1st quarter 2018 (+5.0% and +11.6% in the same order, in the quarter ended in February 2019).
This press release includes, besides the usual information, a detailed analysis of the 2018 results (only available in Portuguese), including the dynamism of Portuguese exports and imports in comparison to the global performance of the main partners (Spain, France, and Germany), benefiting from the recent availability of additional data on these countries.