Romania’s trade deficit was some EUR 1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2013, a year-on-year decrease of EUR 646 million, according to the National Statistics Office (INS).

Compared to the same period in 2012, the exports were up 4.6 percent in January-March 2013, to EUR 11.5 billion, while the imports went down 1.1 percent to the value of EUR 12.6 billion.

A significant share of the exports and imports by product group was held by machinery and transport equipment - 42.5 percent of exports and 34.6 percent of imports. Other manufactured goods accounted for 34.1 percent of exports and 29.6 percent of imports.

In March 2013, according to INS’ preliminary estimations, exports dropped 1.4 percent on the same month last year, to some EUR 4 billion. Imports amounted to EUR 4.5 billion in March - a year-on-year decrease of 5 percent. Compared to the previous month, exports went up 3.4 percent, while the imports increased by some 12 percent.

The trade deficit was EUR 567 million in March this year, EUR 182 million lower than in March 2012.

Last year, Romania exported goods worth EUR 45 billion while imports valued EUR 54.6 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of EUR 9.5 billion, close to the level recorded in 2011.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)