The first estimate for extra-EU exports of goods in December 2020 was €174.9 billion, up by 1.5% compared with December 2019 (€172.3 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €144.8 bn, down by 3.6% compared with December 2019 (€150.2 bn).
As a result, the EU recorded a €30.1 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2020, compared with +€22.1 bn in December 2019. Intra-EU trade rose to €235.1 bn in December 2020, +3.8% compared with December 2019.
As a result, the EU recorded a €30.1 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2020, compared with +€22.1 bn in December 2019. Intra-EU trade rose to €235.1 bn in December 2020, +3.8% compared with December 2019.
Pursuant to Eurostat, in January to December 2020, extra-EU exports of goods fell to €1 931.6 bn (a decrease of 9.4% compared with January-December 2019), and imports fell to €1 714.3 bn (a decrease of 11.6% compared with January-December 2019). As a result, the EU recorded a surplus of €217.3 bn, compared with +€191.5 bn in January-December 2019.
Intra-EU trade fell to €2 841.7 bn in January-December 2020, -7.5% compared with January-December 2019. The degree to which the year-on-year development of exports and imports was affected depended however on the type of products. Energy recorded by far the largest drop, followed by Machinery & Vehicles and other manufactured products, while Food & Drink, Raw materials and Chemicals were the only product groups with levels close to those observed in 2019.
In the year 2020, China was the main partner for the EU. This result was due to an increase of imports (+5.6%) and exports (+2.2%). At the same time trade with the United States recorded a significant drop in both imports (-13.2%) and exports (-8.2%).
In December 2020 for the first time since February 2020 the majority of Member States registered an increase in extra-EU exports. In particular, eighteen Member States registered an increase compared with December 2019, while nine Member States observed a decrease, with the largest fall registered for Malta (-31.9%). The largest increases in exports were observed in Finland (+42.5), Slovakia (+35.7%) and Estonia (+35.6%).
With regard to extra-EU imports, in December 2020 compared to December 2019, twelve Member States registered an increase, while fifteen Member States recorded drops, with the largest falls observed in Luxembourg (-30.9%) and Finland (-22.3%). The largest increases were observed in Croatia (+59.1%), Malta and Hungary (both +20.5%).
The first estimate for euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world in December 2020 was €190.7 billion, an increase of 2.3% compared with December 2019 (€186.4 bn). This is the first increase since February 2020.
Imports from the rest of the world stood at €161.5 bn, a fall of 1.3% compared with December 2019 (€163.7 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €29.2 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2020, compared with +€22.6 bn in December 2019. Intra-euro area trade rose to €148.7 bn in December 2020, up by 0.9% compared with December 2019.
In January to December 2020, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world fell to €2 131.4 bn (a decrease of 9.2% compared with January-December 2019), and imports fell to €1 897.0 bn (a decrease of 10.8% compared with January-December 2019). As a result the euro area recorded a surplus of €234.5 bn, compared with +€221.0 bn in January-December 2019. Intra-euro area trade fell to €1 797.0 bn in January-December 2020, down by 8.9% compared with January-December 2019.
