In April 2019, exports and imports of goods recorded nominal year-on-year growth rates of +3.2% and +10.9%, respectively, both decelerating when compared to the previous month (+4.6% and +11.3% in the same order, in March 2019). The increases in exports and imports of Transport equipment (+11.6% and +24.7%, respectively) stood out, mainly as a result of the transactions of Other transport equipment (mostly Airplanes).
Excluding Fuels and lubricants, exports increased by 4.7% and imports grew by 9.9% (+6.4% and +11.6% respectively, in March 2019).
The deficit of trade balance amounted to EUR 1,802 million in April 2019, increasing by EUR 516 million when compared to the same month of 2018. Excluding Fuels and lubricants, the trade balance stood at EUR -1,337 million, corresponding to an increase of EUR 334 million in the trade deficit when compared to April 2018.
In the quarter ended in April 2019, exports and imports of goods grew by 4.4% and by 11.3%, respectively, vis-à-vis the quarter ended in April 2018 (+4.8% and +12.6% in the same order, in the 1st quarter 2019).