In September 2019, exports and imports of goods recorded nominal year-on-year growth rates of +5.8% and +13.2%, respectively (-4.5% in both flows in August 2019). The increases in exports and imports of Transport equipment (+19.8% and +30.1%, respectively) and in imports of Fuels and lubricants (+40.4%) stood out.
Excluding Fuels and lubricants, exports grew by 7.2% and imports increased by 10.3% (-0.1% and +4.0% respectively, in August 2019). 
The trade balance deficit in goods increased by EUR 518 million when compared to the same month of 2018, reaching EUR 1,802 million in September 2019. Excluding Fuels and lubricants, the trade balance stood at EUR -1,195 million, corresponding to an increase of EUR 234 million in the trade deficit vis-à-vis September 2018.
In the third quarter 2019, exports and imports of goods increased by 1.2% and by 6.3%, respectively, compared to the same quarter of 2018 (-3.6% and +0.5%, in the same order, in the quarter ended in August 2019).