International Trade in Goods: February 2023

Provisional figures for registered trade in goods in Malta recorded a deficit of €257.5 million during February 2023, compared to a deficit of €205.9 million in the corresponding month of 2022.

Total Trade in Goods: February 2023

Data in this news release presents all international trade in goods registered up to the indicated cut-off date. Provisional data recorded a total trade in goods deficit of €257.5 million during February, compared to a deficit of €205.9 million in the corresponding month of 2022. Imports amounted to €583.1 million, while exports totalled €325.6 million. This represents an increase of €13.5 million in imports and a decline of €38.1 million in exports over the same month of the previous year. The rise in the value of imports was primarily due to Chemicals (€13.0 million), Food (€10.4 million), and Miscellaneous manufactured articles (€6.3 million), partly offset by a decrease in Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€21.5 million). On the exports side, the main decrease was registered in Chemicals (€27.5 million).

Total Trade in Goods: JanuaryFebruary 2023

During the first two months of the year, the total trade in goods deficit widened by €158.0 million when compared to the corresponding period of 2022, reaching €537.1 million. Imports increased by €129.0 million, while exports declined by €29.0 million, amounting to €1,247.4 million and €710.3 million respectively. Higher imports were mainly recorded in Machinery and transport equipment (€79.6 million), Chemicals (€19.3 million),

Food (€16.7 million), and Miscellaneous manufactured articles (€13.4 million). On the exports side, the main decreases were registered in Chemicals (€35.6 million), Semi-manufactured goods (€16.3 million), Food (€15.0 million), and Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€11.3 million), partly offset by an increase in Machinery and transport equipment (€42.2 million).

Goods were imported mainly from the European Union (51.0 per cent) and Asia (20.8 per cent). Similarly, exports were mostly directed to the European Union (33.9 per cent) and Asia (15.5 per cent). The main increase and decrease in imports were registered from the United Kingdom (€75.1 million) and Italy (€38.0 million), respectively. With respect to exports, the main increase was directed to Germany (€72.5 million), whereas France reported the highest decrease (€43.0 million).

Trade in Goods excluding specific chapters: February 2023

In February, the deficit of trade in goods excluding specific chapters amounted to €171.3 million, compared to a deficit of €105.2 million recorded in the same month of 2022. Imports and exports amounted to €385.8 million and €214.5 million, respectively, thus representing an increase of 11.1 per cent in imports and a decrease of 11.4 per cent in exports, over the corresponding month of the previous year.

Trade in Goods excluding specific chapters: January-February 2023

During the first two months of 2023, the deficit of trade in goods excluding specific chapters widened by €121.9 million when compared to the same period of 2022, reaching €349.3 million. Imports increased by 15.3 per cent, while exports decreased by 3.0 per cent, and amounted to €811.3 million and €462.0 million respectively.