In June 2018, exports and imports of goods recorded year-on-year nominal growth rates of +8.6% and +18.1% respectively, both accelerating when compared with the previous month (+6.2% and +0.6% in May 2018, in the same order). The noteworthy increase in imports was mainly due to Fuels and lubricants from Extra-EU countries. Excluding Fuels and lubricants, exports increased by 6.8% and imports grew by 10.3% (+4.4% and +2.5% respectively in May 2018).
The deficit of trade balance amounted to EUR 1,682 million in June 2018, increasing by EUR 641 million when compared with the same month of 2017. Excluding Fuels and lubricants, the trade balance stood at EUR -999 million, corresponding to an increase of EUR 231 million in the trade deficit when compared with June 2017.
In the 2nd quarter 2018, exports and imports of goods grew by 10.5% and 10.4% respectively, vis-à-vis the same period of the previous year.
In the first half of 2018, the increases of 6.6% in exports and 8.8% in imports stood for a significant deceleration when compared with the same period of 2017 (+12.2% and +14.3% respectively in the first half of 2017). Excluding Fuels and lubricants there were increases of 6.4% and 8.0% respectively (+10.2% and +11.4% in the first half of 2017).