Volume of exports up 8 percent

After correction for working day effects, the volume of goods exports was 8 percent larger in March 2007 than twelve months previously. Imports rose by 7 percent. Both the volume of imports and the volume of exports rose by slightly less in the first quarter of 2007 than in all of 2006 on average.

March had one working day fewer than last year. The effect of this is around 3 percentage points. Import and export prices were 1 percent higher than twelve months previously. 

The value of goods exports was 6 percent higher than one year previously, at 30.5 billion euro. Imports had a total value of 26.3 billion euro, 5 percent more. The balance of trade increased to 4.2 billion euro, the highest value ever measured.

Just as in the first two months of 2007, in March too the increase in exports to outside the European Union was clearly higher than the increase in exports to EU countries. For imports the opposite is the case: the growth is mainly accounted for by imports from the EU.

The value of imports and exports of mineral fuels fell in March compared with last year. The lower rate of the euro against the dollar and the mild weather in Europe were the main reasons for this decrease. Imports and exports of chemical products on the other hand showed a substantial rise.