In February 2024, exports and imports of goods recorded nominal year-on-year rates of change of +2.3% and +1.5%, respectively (+0.5% and -4.1%, in the same order, in January 2024).

In February 2024, there were increases in exports of Food and beverages (+14.8%) and imports of Transport equipment (+5.0%), Consumer goods (+6.0%) and Capital goods and parts thereof (+4.5%). Also noteworthy was the decrease in imports of Fuels and lubricants (-6.5%), which reflects the fall in prices (-16.8%), given that there was an increase of 12.3% in volume.

Excluding Fuels and lubricants, there were increases of 1.4% in exports and 2.6% in imports in February 2024 (+0.8% and -0.3%, respectively, in January 2024).

In February 2024, the unit value indices (prices) continued to record negative rates of change, -3.9% in exports and -6.0% in imports (-3.5% and -6.5%, respectively, in January 2024; +6.7% and +4.2% in February 2023). Excluding petroleum products, there were decreases of 2.9% in exports and 5.6% in imports (-2.8% and -4.7%, respectively, in January 2024; +7.0% and +4.7% in February 2023).

The deficit of trade balance decreased by EUR 12 million in February 2024, year-on-year, amounting to EUR 2,356 million. Excluding Fuels and lubricants, the deficit amounted to EUR 1,868 million, reflecting an increase of EUR 113 million.

In the quarter ended in February 2024, exports increased by 1.0% and imports fell by 2.7% year-on-year (-0.4% and -6.0%, in the same order, in the quarter ended in January 2024).