Preliminary figures show that Malta registered a trade deficit of €203.8 million in August 2016, up by €16.8 million from €187.0 million in the corresponding month of 2015, the National Statistics Office said today.

Both imports and exports decreased by €1.9 million and €18.8 million respectively. The decrease in the value of imports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment (€35.2 million). This was partly outweighed by an increase of €23.7 million in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials .

On the exports side mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€18.3 million) accounted for the main decrease.

During the first eight months this year, the trade deficit widened by €93.8 million when compared to the corresponding period last year. Both imports and exports show an increase of €160.3 million and €66.5 million respectively.

Higher imports were mainly due to machinery and transport equipment, which increased by €347.0 million. This was partly outweighed by a decrease of €122.6 million in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials.

The increase in the value of exports was mainly triggered by chemicals (€559.4 million). This was partly outweighed by a decrease of €380.3 million in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials.

Malta's trade imports from the European Union reached €2,069.6 million, or 45.4 per cent of total imports. There was a decrease of €337.1 million in imports from euro area countries when compared to the same period last year.

Main increases and decreases in imports were registered from the Caribbean and Bahamas Islands (€542.6 million) and the Netherlands (€204.0 million) respectively.

On the export side the main increase was directed to the United States of America (€591.4 million), whereas Africa (€271.6 million) registered the highest decrease.

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