The EU trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in May 2014 was a 0.6 billion surplus, compared with 15 billion euro surplus in May 2013. In April 2014 the balance was 1 billion euro surplus, compared with a surplus of 8.6 billion in April 2013.
The euro area trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in May 2014 gave a 15.4 billion euro surplus, compared with 14.6 billion euro surplus in May 2013. The April 2014 balance was also 15.4 billion euro surplus, compared with 14.2 billion euro surplus in April 2013.
These figures were released Wednesday by Eurostat, the EU statistical office.
The EU deficit for energy decreased to 115.2 billion euro in January-April 2014 compared with 127.5 billion euro deficit in January-April 2013.
The highest increases in EU exports were registered with China (+9% in January-April 2014 compared with January-April 2013) and South Korea (+5%), and for EU imports with South Korea (+9%), Switzerland and Turkey (both +6%).
The most notable decreases were recorded for exports to Switzerland (-15%), Russia and India (both -11%), and for imports from Russia (-9%) and Brazil (-8%).