Eurozone trade surplus declines on weak exports

Brussels, July 16, (dpa-AFX/GNA) – The euro area trade surplus declined in May on weak foreign demand, official data from Eurostat revealed on Friday.

The trade surplus fell to a seasonally adjusted 9.4 billion euros (11.1 billion dollars) in May from 13.4 billion euros in April. Exports dropped 1.5 per cent on a monthly basis in May, while imports grew 0.7 per cent.

On an unadjusted basis, the trade balance showed a surplus of 7.5 billion euros in May compared to EUR 8.9 billion surplus in the same period last year.

Shipments increased 31.9 per cent from May 2020, a month which had been heavily affected by the COVID-19 containment measures widely introduced by the member states. Imports advanced 35.2 per cent annually.
GNA