18/3/2011 00:00:00
According to Istat, in January 2011, exports recorded a 4.3% economic growth, particularly relevant to countries outside the EU (+8.9%), exceeding that of imports (+2.8%). The growth trend is very strong for both flows and higher for imports (+31.3%) than exports (+25.1%). The broader trend of increase in imported value is entirely explained by the dynamics of more sustained average unit values (+14.2%) than exports (+8.7%), while the increase in volume is approximately 15% both for imports and for exports. The persistent trade deficit worsens further, rising from 4 billion in January 2010 to 6.6 billion in January 2011.
The energy sector recorded in January 2011, a substantial widening of the deficit (-5.8 billion compared to -3.9 in January 2010), contributing by over two thirds of the increase of the total deficit.
Capital goods (+28.8%) recorded the highest trend growth of manufacturing exports and record a surplus of 1.7 billion.
For intermediates there was a growth trend in imports (+52.6%) significantly larger than exports (+27%) and a trade deficit of 2.3 billion.
The most dynamic export products are coke and refined petroleum products (+64.5%), transportation, except motor vehicles (+55.6%), motor vehicles (+35%) and metals (+30.7 %).
Sales of vehicles (except motor vehicles) in the United States, Germany and Switzerland as well as metals and refined petroleum products to Spain guide the growth of exports.
Crude oil and natural gas from OPEC and the computers and electronic and optical equipment from China provide greater impetus to the growth of imports.
