Provisional data for international trade show that the visible trade gap in February stood at €74.9 million, down by €130.6 million when compared to the corresponding month in 2011.

There were increases in imports and exports of €40.0 million and €170.7 million respectively. The rise in imports was due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, while other increases were registered in beverages and tobacco, and crude materials. Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials also accounted for the main increase in exports when compared to the corresponding month in 2011.

Other increases were recorded in miscellaneous manufactured articles, crude materials, and miscellaneous transactions and commodities.

In the first two months this year, the visible trade gap narrowed by €85.8 million, to stand at €178.6 million. The increase in imports of €113.8 million was mainly due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, with other increases recorded in beverages and tobacco, and crude materials.

The rise in exports of €199.6 million was primarily due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials. Other increases were noted in machinery and transport equipment, miscellaneous manufactured articles, crude materials, and miscellaneous transactions and commodities.

The bulk of Malta’s trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed towards the European Union.

An increase in imports was registered from Italy, while there were decreases from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. Exports to Italy and the Netherlands declined, while exports to Germany, France, Belgium and Spain increased.

Other increases in exports were recorded for Israel and Egypt.

These figures are supplied by the National Statistics Office.

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