The seasonally adjusted trade balance was in a €4.25 billion surplus in September, up from August's larger revised €4.13 billion.

Exports to the Eurozone declined 3.0 percent versus August and fell 1.4 percent to non-EU countries. Conversely, imports increased 1.2 percent, primarily due to a 1.1 percent rise in EU imports.

Year-over-year, total exports were down 2.2 percent while imports fell by 3.2 percent. Exports to EU countries decreased by 3.0 percent, while those to non-EU markets dropped 1.4 percent. Imports from the EU decreased 3.2 percent, imports from non-EU countries fell a steep 8.8 percent.

Month-over-month, import prices decreased by 0.7 percent, and increased by 0.5 percent year-over-year. The September report puts Italy's RPI at minus 21 and the RPI-P at minus 30, both readings showing economic activity in general moderately underperforming market forecasts.

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.

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.