Provisional data for international trade shows that the visible trade gap in January 2009 stood at €122.1 million, up by €20.3 million when compared to the corresponding month last year. There was a decrease in imports of €47.1 million and a decrease in exports of €67.4 million.

The decrease in imports was due to industrial supplies, fuel and lubricants and consumer goods. Machinery and transport equipment accounted for the main decrease in exports during January 2009 when compared to last year. Other decreases were also registered in food, chemicals, and miscellaneous manufactured articles.

An analysis of the total trade balance by commodity group, indicates that the deterioration in the balance for January 2009 when compared to January 2008 was mainly due to machinery and transport equipment.

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

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