Analytics, Baltic Export, Estonia, Foreign trade

In October, exports from Estonia amounted to 1.1 billion euros and imports to Estonia to 1.2 billion euros. Although Estonia’s total imports were at the highest level of this year, they did not reach the level of October 2012. The trade balance amounted to 142 million euros (210 million euros in October 2012).

In Estonia’s exports, the biggest share was held by electrical equipment (19% of Estonia’s total exports), followed by agricultural products and food preparations (12%) and wood and products thereof (9%). The decrease in exports compared to October 2012 was mainly influenced by the decrease in the dispatches of agricultural products and food preparations, and electrical equipment (down by 17% and 9%, respectively). At the same time, the dispatches of wood and products thereof and transport equipment increased (up by 18% and 30%, respectively).

In October the biggest share of Estonia’s imports was held by electrical equipment (16% of Estonia’s total imports), followed by transport equipment (12%) and agricultural products and food preparations (12%). Arrivals of electrical equipment decreased the most (by 36%). At the same time, arrivals of transport equipment (incl. vehicles and railway rolling stock) and agricultural products and food preparations (incl. miscellaneous edible preparations and prepared animal fodders) increased (by 21% and 11%, respectively).

The top destination countries of Estonia’s exports were Sweden (16% of Estonia’s total exports), followed by Finland (16%) and Russia (13%). The slight decrease in total exports compared to October 2012 was mainly influenced by the decrease in the dispatches to Lithuania and Germany (down by 8% or 7%). The fall in exports to Lithuania was mainly influenced by the decline in the dispatches of fuels; exports to Germany decreased mainly due to the decrease in the dispatches of rapeseed. At the same time, exports to Russia and Belgium increased vigorously (by 17% and 90%, respectively). Exports to Russia were influenced by the increase in re-exported goods (incl. mechanical equipment). The growth in exports to Belgium was influenced by the increase in the dispatches of shale oil.

In October, the main countries of consignment were Finland (16% of Estonia’s total imports), Germany (11%) and Latvia (10%). The 6% decrease in total imports compared to October 2012 was mainly influenced by the decrease in the arrivals from Sweden and China (down by 23% and 30%, respectively). Arrivals from those countries decreased mainly due to the decrease in the arrivals of electrical equipment. At the same time, arrivals of goods from Poland increased by 45%, mainly due to the increase in the arrivals of railway rolling stock.

In October compared to September 2013, exports increased by 5% and imports by 8%.

On a monthly basis, or compared to the previous month, exports increased already for the third successive month. The monthly increase in exports was mostly influenced by the increase in the dispatches of electrical equipment, while imports were mainly influenced by increased arrivals of railway rolling stock.

According to Eurostat, in October and November, the economic sentiment indicator, which reflects entrepreneurs’ and consumers’ confidence, increased in Estonia and in Estonia’s main partner countries. The economic sentiment indicator has risen in Estonia since July, which is also reflected by the growth in exports on a monthly basis.

Estonia’s foreign trade, January–October, 2012–2013

Estonia’s foreign trade, January–October, 2012–2013

Exports and imports by commodity sections, October 2013