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Estonia’s exports of goods amounted to 1.2 billion euros and imports to 1.4 billion euros at current prices. The trade deficit was 150 million euros; it decreased by 16 million euros compared to March 2019.

According to Evelin Puura, a leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, wood processing equipment and shale oil had a significant impact on the fall in exports in March. “Imports dropped mainly because less electronic integrated circuits and passenger cars were imported,” explained Puura.

The top destination country of Estonia’s exports was Finland, followed by Sweden and Latvia. The biggest decreases occurred in exports to Belgium (down by 21 million euros), France (down by 20 million euros) and Denmark (down by 19 million euros). Compared to the previous year, shale oil was exported less to Belgium and Denmark, and fertilisers were exported less to France. Exports increased the most to Sweden and Finland. More communication equipment was exported to Sweden and more prefabricated wooden buildings were dispatched to Finland.

The biggest exports from Estonia were electrical equipment, mineral products, and wood and articles of wood. The year-on-year decline in exports came mainly from mechanical appliances (down by 21 million euros) and mineral products (down by 16 million euros). Exports increased the most for electrical equipment (up by 21 million euros) and precious metals (up by 19 million euros).

In March, goods of Estonian origin accounted for 69% of the total exports of goods. Their exports decreased by 5% and re-exports increased by 10% compared to March 2019. The biggest decline occurred for aviation spirit and shale oil of Estonian origin as well for machines and mechanical appliances with individual functions and their parts.

The main countries of consignment were Finland, Germany and Lithuania. Imports decreased the most from Sweden (down by 34 million euros), Finland (down by 22 million euros) and Latvia (down by 15 million euros). From Sweden, the imports of electrical and transport equipment decreased the most; from Finland, the imports of mechanical appliances and mineral products; and from Latvia, the imports of mineral products. Imports increased the most from the USA (up by 33 million euros).

The main commodities imported to Estonia were raw materials and products of chemical industry, mineral products, and agricultural products and food preparations. The biggest decrease occurred in the imports of electrical and transport equipment and biggest increase in the imports of raw materials and products of chemical industry and precious metals.

Statistics Estonia performs the statistical activity “Foreign trade” for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications with the aim to determine the economic situation in Estonia.