In September 2018, exports and imports of goods recorded year-on-year nominal growth rates of +1.7% and +0.5% respectively, both decelerating when compared with the previous month (+2.3% and +8.7% in the same order, in August 2018). Excluding Fuels and lubricants, exports increased by 3.3% and imports grew by 1.7% (+1.3% and +1.4% respectively, in August 2018). The scheduled pause of the national refineries had a significant impact on the global evolution of both exports and imports in August and September. 
The deficit of trade balance amounted to EUR 1,203 million in September 2018, i.e. decreasing by EUR 49 million when compared with the same month of 2017. Excluding Fuels and lubricants, the trade balance stood at EUR -897 million, corresponding to a decrease of EUR 53 million in the trade deficit when compared with September 2017.
In the 3rd quarter 2018, exports and imports of goods increased by 6.1% and by 7.3% respectively, vis-à-vis the same period of the previous year. In the 2nd quarter exports and imports recorded variations of +10.8% and +9.5% respectively.
In accumulated terms, from January to September 2018, exports increased by 6.7% and imports grew by 7.8%.