Lituania - Balanza comercial

Lithuania's trade deficit widened to EUR 470.4 million in May of 2019 from EUR 356.8 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. This was the largest trade gap since April 2008, as exports rose less than imports. Imports rose 9.3 percent year-on-year to EUR 2,951.8 million, boosted by higher purchases of crude oil (24.2 percent); ground vehicles (15.6 percent); fertilizer (2.4 percent) and other mineral products (6.7 percent). Exports increased at a softer 5.8 percent to EUR 2,481.4 million, driven by sales of ground vehicles (21.3 percent); cereal (2.1 percent); other mineral products (6.8 percent) and furniture (13.1 percent). Considering the first five months of the year, the trade balance recorded a EUR 1,208.5 million deficit, compared with a EUR 1,333.4 million gap in the same period of 2018.

Lithuania's trade deficit narrowed to EUR 231.7 million in April of 2019 from EUR 264.7 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Imports rose 13.6 percent year-on-year to EUR 2,649.7 million, boosted by higher purchases of plastics and articles thereof (15.8 percent); organic chemicals (43 percent), and crude oil (2.4 percent). Exports increased at a faster 17 percent to EUR 2,418 million, driven by sales of other mineral products (12.1 percent); mineral products (15.1 percent). Considering the first four months of the year, the trade balance recorded a EUR 716.7 million deficit, compared with a EUR 936.3 million gap in the same period of 2018.

Lithuania's trade deficit narrowed to EUR 154.8 million in March of 2019 from EUR 200.3 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Imports rose 3.0 percent year-on-year to EUR 2,662.3 million, boosted by higher purchases of plastics and articles thereof (14.5 percent); pharmaceuticals products (17.6 percent), and fertilizer (47.4 percent). Exports increased at a faster 5.2 percent to EUR 2,507.5 million, driven by sales of fertilizer (41.3 percent); oil products (7.6 percent), and plastics and articles thereof (11.7 percent). Considering the first three months of the year, the trade balance recorded a EUR 512.8 billion deficit, compared with a EUR 671.7 billion gap in the same period of 2018.

Lithuania's trade deficit widened to EUR 260.6 million in February of 2019 from EUR 218.8 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. It was the largest trade deficit since October last year, as imports rose 10.2 percent year-on-year to EUR 2,506.8 million, boosted by higher purchases of aircraft and aircraft parts (11 percent) and natural gas (92.2 percent). Exports increased 9.2 percent to EUR 2,246.3 million, driven by sales of cereal (5.7 percent); fertilizers (32.3 percent); and ground vehicles (27.9 percent). Considering the first two months of the year, the trade balance recorded a EUR 352.5 billion deficit, compared with a EUR 471.3 billion gap in the same period of 2018.

Lithuania's trade deficit declined to EUR 87.9 million in January of 2019 from EUR 252.5 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. It was the smallest trade deficit since December 2017, as exports rose while imports almost were unchanged at EUR 2,358.3 million. Exports increased 7.8 percent to EUR 2,270.5 million, driven by sales of furniture (12 percent); fertilizers (32.1 percent); and ground vehicles (18.6 percent).

Lithuania's trade deficit increased to EUR 161.2 million in December of 2018 from EUR 60.5 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Imports increased 1.7 percent to EUR 2,458.9 million, mainly due to lower purchases of goods other than mineral products (-0.5 percent). Meantime, exports declined 2.5 percent to EUR 2,297.7 million, dragged by sales of cereals (-53.6 percent); machinery and mechanical appliances, parts thereof (-13.8 percent).