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Monthly statistics on the international trade in goods, April 2019

28.6.2019 9.00



Finnish Customs, Statistics, Tilastointi

Export prices rose but export volume declined in April

The value of Finnish exports of goods declined by three per cent year-on-year in April, according to the international trade in goods statistics provided by Finnish Customs. The value of Finnish exports was nearly 5.5 billion euros. Export prices rose by 5.1 per cent, but export volume declined by 5.9 per cent. In January-April, the value of exports increased by four per cent year-on-year.

The value of imports rose by six per cent in April and was slightly under 5.8 billion euros. Import volume increased by 5.1 per cent and import prices by 1.7 per cent year-on-year. In January-April, the value of imports remained at the level of the previous year.  

The balance of trade showed a deficit of 322 million euros in April. In January-April, the trade balance showed a deficit of 53 million euros. In April 2018, the trade balance had a surplus of 145 million euros but in January-April, there was a deficit of 772 million euros.

The terms of trade for international trade are calculated based on the unit value index. Terms of trade show the ratio between export and import prices. The terms of trade improved in April because export prices grew more than import prices. The point figure in April was 99.9, while it was 96.7 April the previous year. The terms of trade declined slightly from the March 2019 point figure of 100.9.

A cruise ship delivered to Germany in April last year explains the decline in the value of total exports in April 2019. The exports of industrial machinery and equipment, passenger cars, metals, chemical products and paper pulp increased in April. The value of paper and cardboard exports fell slightly year-on-year. The value of imports of industrial supplies fell in April, but the value of imports of other major commodity groups increased.

Exports to EU member states decreased by 12 per cent but exports to non-EU countries increased by 13 per cent in April. Exports to Germany declined while exports to other major countries increased. Imports from EU countries increased by five per cent, and imports from non-EU countries by six per cent in April. Imports from Germany and the Netherlands fell, but imports from other major trading partners increased.

Table 1. Total development (e million)

Direction April 2018 April 2019 Change % January-April 2018 January-April 2019 Change %
Exports (fob) 5 609 5 450 -3 21 043 21 858 +4
Imports (cif) 5 465 5 773 +6 21 815 21 911 +0
Balance 145 -322   -772 -53  

Table 2. International trade indexes (2010=100)

Index April 2018 April 2019 Change %
2019:04/2019:03
Change %
2019:04/2018:04
Mean *
2018:05-2019:04
Change %
2018:05-2019:04/
2017:05-2018:04
Volume index exports 110,1 103,6 -0,3 -5,9 102,4 +0,3
Volume index imports 106,1 111,5 +2,1 +5,1 105,8 -1,2
Unit value index exports 113,7 119,5 +0,4 +5,1 118,5 +4,5
Unit value index imports 117,5 119,6 +1,4 +1,7 120,2 +6,2

* Moving 12-months averages


Free access to detailed statistics on the international trade in goods through Uljas  http://uljas.tulli.fi

Further information:
Kaarna, Anssi tel. +358 40 332 8153
Riikonen, Johanna tel. +358 40 332 1824
forename.surname@tulli.fi

Exports and imports of Finland 2016-2019
  • Exports and imports of Finland 2016-2019

Asiasanat
Monthly statistics on the international trade Official Statistics of Finland
Seuraava julkistus

31.7.2019