Provisional figures for registered trade in Malta recorded a trade deficit of €291.5 million during May 2020, compared to a deficit of €237.0 million in the corresponding month of 2019, the NSO said.

Both imports and exports registered decreases of €68.2 million and €122.7 million respectively. The decrease in the value of imports was primarily due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€89.0 million), partly offset by an increase of €36.4 million in machinery and transport equipment. The main decrease in exports was registered in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€60.1 million) and machinery and transport equipment (€40.6 million).

January-May 2020

During the first five months of this year, the trade deficit narrowed by €746.8 million when compared to the corresponding period of 2019, reaching €1,010.4 million. Imports and exports decreased by €857.0 million and €110.2 million respectively. Lower imports were mainly in machinery and transport equipment (€665.2 million) and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€109.7 million).

On the other hand, mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€98.0 million) accounted for the main decrease in exports. Imports from the European Union reached €1,126.3 million, or 48.8 per cent of total imports. There was a decrease of €97.6 million in imports from euro area countries when compared to the same period in 2019.

Main increases and decreases in imports were registered from Luxembourg (€138.4 million) and the United Kingdom (€698.4 million). The main increase in exports was directed to Germany (€21.2 million), whereas Italy (€75.0 million) registered the highest decrease.