In April exports and imports decreased significantly

Compared to April of the previous year, exports from Estonia decreased by 38% or 4.6 billion kroons and imports by 41% or 6.5 billion kroons. The decline in exports and imports was also partly caused by the high comparative indicators last year. Foreign trade deficit amounted to 1.8 billion kroons (3.6 billion kroons in April 2008). Compared to March of the current year exports decreased by 7% and imports by 4%.

In April the value of goods exported to the EU countries (EU 27) was 5.5 billion kroons with the share of 72% of total exports. Compared to April of the previous year, exports to the EU countries decreased by 35%. Exports to non-EU countries or the so-called third countries amounted to 2.1 billion kroons and decreased by 1.7 billion kroons compared to April 2008.

Imports from the European Union (EU 27) countries totalled around 7.3 billion kroons with the share of 78% of Estonian total imports. Imports from the EU 27 countries decreased by 44% compared to April of the previous year. Imports from other countries than the EU 27 accounted for 2.1 billion kroons and it decreased by 0.7 billion kroons compared to April of the previous year.

The trade deficit between the EU countries amounted to 1.8 billion kroons (4.6 billion kroons in April 2008). At the same time the trade balance with other countries than the EU was positive or exports to those countries exceeded imports approximately by 0.1 billion kroons.

Estonian foreign trade, January 2008 – April 2009

Statistics Estonia releases the first estimates about foreign trade on the 40th day after the end of the reference period which are then revised on the 54th day. Statistics Estonia will release a more detailed overview about foreign trade for April on the 26th of June.