| Actual | Previous | Revised | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | €4.46B | €4.16B | €4.21B |
Highlights
Italy's trade dynamics in June painted a mixed picture of economic activity, with seasonally adjusted data showing a slight increase in exports by 0.5 percent compared to May, while imports remained flat. The growth in exports was driven by a 1.5 percent rise in trade with EU countries, though this was offset by a 0.5 percent decline in exports to non-EU countries. Similarly, imports saw a 2.6 percent increase from EU countries, contrasting with a significant 3.4 percent drop from non-EU countries.
Despite this monthly growth, the broader year-over-year perspective reveals a more challenging scenario, with exports declining by 6.1 percent and imports plunging by 9.6 percent. Both EU and non-EU markets experienced downturns, reflecting a broader slowdown in trade flows.
The trade balance, however, remained robust, registering a surplus of €4.46 billion seasonally adjusted and €5.07 billion unadjusted, largely due to a significant surplus with non-EU countries. Excluding energy, the surplus widened further to €8.6 billion, underscoring the strength of Italy's non-energy exports.
On the pricing front, import prices saw a slight decrease of 0.1 percent from May, with a notable divergence between the eurozone which was stable and the non-eurozone, down 0.2 percent. However, over the last three months, import prices rose by 1.3 percent, driven by increases in both euro and non-euro zones, highlighting ongoing cost pressures in the import sector.
Despite this monthly growth, the broader year-over-year perspective reveals a more challenging scenario, with exports declining by 6.1 percent and imports plunging by 9.6 percent. Both EU and non-EU markets experienced downturns, reflecting a broader slowdown in trade flows.
The trade balance, however, remained robust, registering a surplus of €4.46 billion seasonally adjusted and €5.07 billion unadjusted, largely due to a significant surplus with non-EU countries. Excluding energy, the surplus widened further to €8.6 billion, underscoring the strength of Italy's non-energy exports.
On the pricing front, import prices saw a slight decrease of 0.1 percent from May, with a notable divergence between the eurozone which was stable and the non-eurozone, down 0.2 percent. However, over the last three months, import prices rose by 1.3 percent, driven by increases in both euro and non-euro zones, highlighting ongoing cost pressures in the import sector.
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.
