Goods exports substantially higher in June

After correction for calendar effects, the volume of goods exports was 13 percent larger in June 2006 than twelve months previously. The volume of imported goods was 11 percent larger than in June last year.

The value of exports amounted to 27.5 billion euro, 16 percent more than in June 2005. The value of imports was 15 percent higher than last year, at 24.0 billion euro. This resulted in a trade surplus of 3.5 billion euro. Prices of imports and exports were about 5 percent higher than twelve months previously. Furthermore June 2006 had one working day fewer than June 2005. The effect of this on the increase in the value of imports and exports was just over 2 percent points.

The volume of exports was 9 percent larger in the first half of 2006 than in the same period last year. This puts the volume increase of exports 2 percent points above that for the whole of 2005. The volume increase for imports was 10 percent, just over 3 percent points higher than for the whole of 2005.

Both the values of imports and exports were about 20 billion euro higher in the first six months of 2006 than in the same period last year. This is an increase of 17 percent for imports and 15 percent for exports.

Goods exports (volume)