Exports continue hefty growth
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After correction for working day effects and for the effect of the leap day, the volume of goods exports was more than 9 percent higher in February than twelve months previously. The volume of imports rose by just over 7 percent. Just as in January, the volume growth of both imports and exports was significantly higher than in the last quarter of 2007.
Import and export prices have been rising gradually since September 2007, partly because of soaring prices for petroleum and petroleum products. In February, import and export prices were 5.5 and 4 percent higher respectively than one year previously.
The value of exports was 31.3 billion euro, 19 percent up on February 2007. The value of imports grew by 18 percent to 27.6 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of 3.7 billion euro. This is 0.7 billion euro higher than one year previously.
Import and export values of food products and mineral fuels in particular were substantially higher. Imports of chemical products also grew strongly. Imports from non-EU countries rose by more than imports from within the EU.