Provisional data for international trade show that a trade deficit of €218.8 million was registered in July, compared to a deficit of €220.6 million in the corresponding month of 2017. Both imports and exports increased by €28.6 million and €30.4 million respectively (Table 1a). The increase in the value of imports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment (€35.7 million), while mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€16.5 million) accounted for the main increase in exports.
January-July 2018
During the first seven months of this year, the trade deficit increased by €123.7 million when compared to the corresponding period of 2017, reaching €1,739.8 million. Both imports and exports show decreases of €61.2 million and €184.9 million respectively (Table 1a). Lower imports were mainly due to a decrease of €167.2 million in machinery and transport equipment partly outweighed by an increase of €53.7 million in Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and related materials. With regard to exports, the main decrease was registered in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€244.9 million).
Malta’s trade imports from the European Union reached €2,356.9 million, or 66.6 per cent of total imports. There was an increase of €417.6 million in imports from euro area countries when compared to the same period of 2017. Main increases and decreases in imports were registered from Italy (€109.8 million) and Canada (€103.9 million) respectively. The main increase in exports was directed to France (€30.6 million), whereas Italy (€91.4 million) registered the highest decrease.
