BRUSSELS: Both exports and imports of goods between the 19-member eurozone and the rest of the world declined in April, according to the latest data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union (EU).
The first estimate for eurozone exports of goods to the rest of the world in April 2016 was 172.3 billion euros (about 193 billion U.S. dollars), a decrease of 1.0 percent compared with April 2015.
While the data shows exports in the eurozone have declined, imports have fallen more. Eurostat said eurozone imports from the rest of the world stood at 144.8 billion euros, a fall of 5.0 percent compared with the same month of last year.
As a result, the euro area recorded a 27.5-billion-euro surplus in trade in goods in April 2016, compared with 20.9 billion euros in April 2015.
At the same time, intra-eurozone trade also fell to 142.8 billion euros in April 2016, down by 1.0 percent when compared with the same month in 2015.
In the wider 28-member bloc EU, the first estimate for EU exports of goods in April 2016 to the rest of the world was 146.9 billion euros, down by 6.0 percent compared with April 2015. Imports from the rest of the world stood at 141.3 billion, down by 4.0 percent.
As a result, the EU recorded a 5.6 billion euros surplus in international trade in goods in April 2016, compared with 8.2 billion euros in April 2015.
However, intra-EU trade rose to 260.9 billion euros in April 2016, an increase of 2.0 percent compared with April 2015.
