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In April foreign trade balance slightly improved as exports in total foreign trade value increased to 46.0% (in March 2015 – 45.0%).

Latvia’s foreign trade, mln euros (1)

Data source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia

Main changes in exports in April, compared to March:

·         exports of machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment grew by 26.2 mln euros or 18.8%,

·         exports of basic metals and articles of basic metals grew by 13.6 mln euros or 18.5%,

·         exports of optical instruments and apparatus (including medical); clocks and watches, musical instruments grew by 11.0 mln euros or 2.2 times,

·         exports of vehicles and associated transport equipment dropped by 6.6 mln euros or 14.5%.

Main changes in imports in April, compared to March:

·         imports of machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment increased by 26.9 mln euros or 13.1%,

·         imports of basic metals and articles of basic metals grew by 9.5 mln euros or 11.7%,

·         imports of vehicles and associated transport equipment dropped by 27.5 mln euros or 31.1%,

·         imports of products of the chemical and allied industries declined by 8.7 mln euros or 6.6%.

In April main export partners were Lithuania (17.6% of total export), Estonia (12.6%), Germany (6.4%) and the United Kingdom (5.6%); main import partners were Lithuania (17.1% of total import), Poland (11.2%), Germany (10.1%) and Estonia (9.2%).

Foreign trade of Latvia by country groups in April 2015, at current prices

The main partner in trade with third countries was Russia, share of which in total Latvian exports in April accounted for 8.3%, but in imports – 8.1%.

Changes of main commodities in Latvia’s exports in April 2015, at current prices

Rise of exports of electrical machinery and equipment in April 2015, as compared to April 2014, was affected by the increase in exports of machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data by 7.5 mln euros or 85.4%. But exports of beverages, spirits and vinegar reduced as exports of spirits dropped by 5.9 mln euros or 25.7%.

Changes of main commodities in Latvia’s imports in April 2015, at current prices

Rise of imports of electrical machinery and equipment in April 2015, as compared to April 2014, was affected by the increase in imports of machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data by 8.4 mln euros or 4 times. In turn, decline in imports of passenger cars by 19.6 mln euros or by 53.5% significantly influenced the total imports of vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof.

More information on Latvia’s foreign trade by months and quarters by country groups and commodity groups is available in the CSB data base section "Foreign trade".

¹ Data on January, May, June, July, August, September, October and November 2014, as well as on January 2015 were revised.