Imports of 7 billion euros at the beginning of the year | Progresiv

International trade with goods, in January this year, meant imports of more than seven billion euros and exports of only 5.6 billion euros. Compared to the same reference period of 2019, imports increased by 3.4% and exports by 3.3%, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics.

Of the total imported goods, food and live animals accounted for 8.4%, meaning 588 million euros. Compared to January 2019, the growth in this segment alone was 13.1%.

The Romanian companies also imported beverages and tobacco in the total amount of 55.5 million euros, representing 0.8% of the total imports made in the first month of this year. Last year, imports of beverages and tobacco increased by 10.8%.

Another notable increase, of 16.2% in January 2020 compared to January 2019, appears in the INS report on oils, animal and vegetable fats, although the total value does not exceed 15 million euros, which represents only 0.2% of total imports.

However, there are sectors in which Romanian companies have succeeded in accelerating exports. One of the biggest increases is recorded by drinks and tobacco (+30.8%) to the value of 106.8 million euros. Although the growth is high, this category represents only 1.9% of the total exports made in Romania.

At the end of January, taking into account all international exchanges of goods, the balance indicates a trade deficit of 1.32 billion euros.