Romania’s exports increased by 10.2% in September 2014, compared to September 2013, to EUR 4.9 billion, which is a new record high. Imports also grew by 10.7% in September, to almost EUR 5.4 billion, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (INS).

In the first nine months of this year, exports were up by 7.1%, in euro, compared to the similar period of 2013, to EUR 39.1 billion. Imports amounted to EUR 43.4 billion, which is 6.6% more than in the first nine months of last year.

The commercial deficit in the first nine months was EUR 4.3 billion, up by about EUR 109 million year-on-year.

Romania’s main exports in the first nine months were transport equipment and vehicles, which represented 42.2% of the total, or some EUR 16.5 billion, up by 7.7% compared to the same period of 2013.

Food, beverages and tobacco represented 8.3% of the total exports, or EUR 3.24 billion, recording an almost 11% increase year-on-year.

Fuels and lubricants were 6.1%, raw materials were 5.4% and chemicals made 5.1% of the total exports, INS data shows.

In the imports side, transport equipment and vehicles was 35%, chemicals were 13.8%, fuels and lubricants made 9.6%, food, beverages and tobacco were 7.5% and raw materials made just 3.2% of the total.

 Andrei Chirileasa, andrei@romania-insider.com