Summary
Exports of goods increased by 3.1% and imports decreased by 2.7% in the quarter ended in April 2013, when compared with the period February 2012 to April 2012, which led to a EUR 730.1 million decrease in the deficit of the trade balance.
In year-on-year terms, in April 2013, exports increased by 17.3% and imports by 9.2% (in March 2013 those figures were -3.5% and -9.9%, respectively). The acceleration of exports and imports was partly due to a calendar effect since, in 2013, the Easter celebration took place in March whereas in 2012 it was celebrated in April. As far as exports are concerned, it should be stressed the contribution of the significant growth of the group of Mineral fuels.
The amount of transactions with Croatia, a future member of the EU, has little significance in terms of the Portuguese international trade of goods. In the first quarter 2013, exports to Croatia represented a mere 0.03% of the total value of Portuguese exports, while imports from this country stood at 0.01%. Portuguese trade balance with Croatia has been positive.