OREANDA-NEWS. The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in December 2015 was €167.5 billion, an increase of 3% compared with December 2014 (€162.1 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €143.2 bn, also a rise of 3% compared with December 2014 (€138.5 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €24.3 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2015, compared with +€23.6 bn in December 2014. Intra-euro area trade rose to €130.3 bn in December 2015, up by 2% compared with December 2014.

European Union

The first estimate for extra-EU28 exports of goods in December 2015 was €156.0 billion, up by 7% compared with December 2014 (€145.8 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €135.5 bn, up by 1% compared with December 2014 (€134.4 bn). As a result, the EU28 recorded a €20.5 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2015, compared with +€11.4 bn in December 2014. Intra-EU28 trade rose to €234.7 bn in December 2015, +3% compared with December 2014.

In 2015, extra-EU28 exports of goods rose to €1 789.1 bn (an increase of 5% compared with 2014), while imports rose to €1 724.9 bn (an increase of 2% compared with 2014). As a result, the EU28 recorded a surplus of €64.2 bn, compared with +€13.3 bn in 2014. Intra-EU28 trade rose to €3 066.6 bn in 2015, +5% compared with 2014.