The first estimate for euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world in December 2022 was €238.7 billion, an increase of 9.0% compared with December 2021 (€218.9 bn).
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Imports from the rest of the world stood at €247.5 bn, a rise of 8.7% compared with December 2021 (€227.7 bn).
As a result, the euro area recorded a €8.8 bn deficit in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2022, which was the same as in December 2021. Intraeuro area trade rose to €212.8 bn in December 2022, up by 9.4% compared with December 2021.
In January to December 2022, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world rose to €2 877.8 bn (an increase of 18.0% compared with January-December 2021), and imports rose to €3 192.5 bn (an increase of 37.5% compared with January-December 2021).
As a result the euro area recorded a deficit of €314.7 bn, compared with a surplus of €116.4 bn in January-December 2021. Intra-euro area trade rose to €2 726.4 bn in JanuaryDecember 2022, up by 24.4% compared with January-December 2021.
European Union
The first estimate for extra-EU exports of goods in December 2022 was €218.7 billion, up by 10.3% compared with December 2021 (€198.2 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €230.8 bn, up by 8.5% compared with December 2021 (€212.8 bn).
As a result, the EU recorded a €12.1 bn deficit in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2022, compared with -€14.6 bn in December 2021. Intra-EU trade rose to €326.7 bn in December 2022, +8.5% compared with December 2021.
In January to December 2022, extra-EU exports of goods rose to €2 572.0 bn (an increase of 17.9% compared with January-December 2021), and imports rose to €3 003.2 bn (an increase of 41.3% compared with JanuaryDecember 2021).
As a result, the EU recorded a deficit of €431.2 bn, compared with a surplus of €55.1 bn in January-December 2021. Intra-EU trade rose to €4 225.2 bn in January-December 2022, +22.7% compared with January-December 2021.
Annual comparison by Member State
In December 2022, compared with December 2021, all the Member States registered increases in extra-EU exports except Estonia (-30.4%), Belgium (-4.2%), Malta (-3.5%) and Slovakia (-3.3%). The highest increases were registered in Slovenia (+47.5%) and Cyprus (+90.1%).
With regard to the extra-EU imports, the picture is similar. In December 2022 compared to December 2021, all but six Member States registered increases in extra-EU imports.
The highest increases were observed in Lithuania (+32.1%), Croatia (+38.9%) and Latvia (+103.7%), while the highest decreases were registered in Finland (-15.1%) and Estonia (-39.3%). ■