Statistics: Exports Down 0.7 percent Y-o-Y in September

Bratislava, November 8 (TASR) - Slovakia's exports dropped by 0.7 percent in yearly terms in September, while exports grew by 1.3 percent, according to preliminary data released by the Statistics Office on Friday. Foreign trade thus recorded a surplus of €195.7 million, dropping by €176 million year-on-year. According to the preliminary results, Slovakia in September exported goods worth €9 billion, while the value of imported goods amounted to €8.8 billion. Compared to August 2024, both exports and imports increased by almost €1 billion. The decrease in exports was chiefly due to a lower value for exported cars, while the increase in imports was related to a higher value of imported energy commodities. As much as 77.3 percent of the overall value of exported goods headed to other EU countries. Conversely, 66.1 percent of the overall imported value came from these countries. Exports to the EU fell slightly - by 0.5 percent year-on-year, while imports from the EU rose by almost 5 percent. Exports to non-EU countries fell by 1.5 percent, with imports from these countries decreasing by approximately 5 percent. When it came to EU countries, Slovakia's trade balance recorded a surplus of more than €1.1 billion. The trade balance with countries outside the Union notched up a deficit of €944.4 million. According to preliminary data for January-September 2024, exports fell by 3.5 percent year-on-year to €78.6 billion. Imports fell by 3.1 percent to €75.3 billion. The foreign trade balance recorded a surplus of €3.4 billion, therefore, down €473.6 million in yearly terms. zel/df