| Actual | Previous | Revised | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | €5.97B | €4.17B | €4.25B |
Highlights
April's seasonally adjusted merchandise trade balance demonstrated strong performance, recording a robust €5.97 billion surplus, a significant increase from March's €4.25 billion. This positive trend highlights the resilience and competitive strength of the economy in the global market.
April saw a noteworthy 2.3 percent rise in exports compared to March 2024, showcasing the growing demand for domestically produced goods abroad. Conversely, imports decreased by 1.1 percent, indicating a shift in domestic consumption patterns and increased self-reliance. Excluding energy, the trade balance surplus was even more impressive, reaching €8.6 billion.
Despite the positive trade balance, import prices experienced a slight uptick, rising by 0.8 percent in April on a month-over-month basis. However, when viewed over the last three months compared to the previous quarter, import prices fell by 0.5 percent, suggesting some volatility but an overall downward trend. Year-over-year, import prices have decreased by 1.8 percent, reflecting improved import efficiency.
April saw a noteworthy 2.3 percent rise in exports compared to March 2024, showcasing the growing demand for domestically produced goods abroad. Conversely, imports decreased by 1.1 percent, indicating a shift in domestic consumption patterns and increased self-reliance. Excluding energy, the trade balance surplus was even more impressive, reaching €8.6 billion.
Despite the positive trade balance, import prices experienced a slight uptick, rising by 0.8 percent in April on a month-over-month basis. However, when viewed over the last three months compared to the previous quarter, import prices fell by 0.5 percent, suggesting some volatility but an overall downward trend. Year-over-year, import prices have decreased by 1.8 percent, reflecting improved import efficiency.
Definition
The merchandise trade balance measures the difference between imports and exports of goods. The level of the international trade balance, as well as changes in exports and imports, indicate trends in foreign trade and can offer a guide to an economy's competitiveness.
Description
Changes in the level of imports and exports, along with the difference between the two (the trade balance) are a valuable gauge of economic trends here and abroad. While these trade figures can directly impact all financial markets, they primarily affect currency values in foreign exchange markets.
Separate reports are published for external and internal EU trade. The extra-EU trade data are compiled on the basis of customs declarations with non-EU countries. The intra-EU trade data (Intrastat) are derived from surveys and provide statistics on trade between Italy and other EU member states. The data are available monthly. World trade data are available within one month after the reference month while intra-EU trade data are available within 7 weeks after the reference month.
Separate reports are published for external and internal EU trade. The extra-EU trade data are compiled on the basis of customs declarations with non-EU countries. The intra-EU trade data (Intrastat) are derived from surveys and provide statistics on trade between Italy and other EU member states. The data are available monthly. World trade data are available within one month after the reference month while intra-EU trade data are available within 7 weeks after the reference month.
