The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in January 2013 gave a 3.9 billion euro deficit, compared with -9.1 bn in January 2012. The December 2012 balance was +10.8 bn, compared with +8.0 bn in December 2011. In January 2013 compared with December 2012, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.0% and imports by 3.1%.

The first estimate for the January 2013 extra-EU27 trade balance was a 16.5 bn euro deficit, compared with -24.9 bn in January 2012. In December 2012 the balance was -1.1 bn, compared with -0.2 bn in December 2011. In January 2013 compared with December 2012, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.9% and imports by 1.3%.

EU27 detailed results for 2012

The EU27 deficit for energy increased significantly (-422.5 bn euro in 2012 compared with -388.2 bn in 2011), as did the surplus for manufactured goods (+365.2 bn compared with +260.3 bn).

EU27 exports to most of its major partners grew in 2012 compared with 2011, except for India (-5%) and Switzerland (-4%). The most notable increases were recorded for exports to South Korea (+16%), Russia (+14%) and Japan (+13%). As regards EU27 imports, the pattern was mixed. The largest increases were recorded for imports from Switzerland (+12%), the USA, Russia and Norway (all +7%), and the largest falls with Japan (-8%), India (-6%) and Brazil (-5%).

The EU27 trade surplus increased with the USA (+85.9 bn euro in 2012 compared with +72.2 bn in 2011) and Turkey (+27.3 bn compared with +24.9 bn), but fell with Switzerland (+28.9 bn compared with +46.4 bn). The EU27 trade deficit declined with China (-145.9 bn compared with -157.4 bn) and Japan (-8.3 bn compared with -20.2 bn), remained nearly stable with Russia (-90.1 bn compared with -90.8 bn), and rose with Norway (-50.7 bn compared with -47.1 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+186.7 bn euro in 2012), followed by the Netherlands (+50.5 bn), Ireland (+42.3 bn), the Czech Republic (+12.3 bn) and Italy (+11.1 bn). The United Kingdom (-164.3 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by France (-81.5 bn), Spain (-31.8 bn), Greece (-20.0 bn) and Portugal (-10.7 bn).