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Monthly statistics on the international trade in goods, March 2019

31.5.2019 9.00



Finnish Customs, Statistics

Export prices rose, but export volume declined in March

The value of Finnish exports of goods remained at the level of the previous year in March, according to the international trade in goods statistics provided by Finnish Customs. The value of Finnish exports was slightly over 5.4 billion euros. Export prices rose by 2.9 per cent, but export volume declined by 2.2 per cent. In January-March, the value of exports increased by six per cent year-on-year.

The value of imports declined by three per cent in March and was slightly under 5.6 billion euros. Import volume declined by 0.5 per cent and import prices by 0.2 per cent. In January-March, the value of imports fell by one per cent year-on-year.

The balance of trade showed a deficit of 134 million euros in March. However, in January-March, the trade balance showed a surplus of 255 million euros. In March 2018, the trade balance was 297 million euros in deficit and in January-March, the deficit was 892 million euros.

The terms of trade for foreign 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 March because export prices grew while import prices declined. The point figure in March was 100.9, while it was 97.8 March the previous year. The terms of trade also improved slightly from the February 2019 point figure of 100.1.

Exports of machinery and equipment fell slightly in March. The decline in the value of oil refinery exports was also slow. The value of other chemical industry exports fell slightly faster. The value of paper and cardboard exports also fell, but pulp exports increased. The decline in the value of metals exports was rather rapid. In March, exports of transport equipment and instruments and meters increased. The value of imports of industrial supplies, capital goods, fuel and lubricants and consumer goods declined, but the value of imports of transport equipment increased in March.

Both exports to EU member states and non-EU countries remained at the level of the previous year in March. Exports to Germany and the Netherlands fell while exports to China were at the previous year's level. Exports to the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Russia increased. Imports from EU countries fell by one per cent, and imports from non-EU countries by five per cent in March. Imports from Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and the United States decreased, but imports from Sweden and China increased.

Table 1. Total development (e million)

Direction March 2018 March 2019 Change % January-March 2018 January-March 2019 Change %
Exports (fob) 5 431 5 444 +0 15 452 16 377 +6
Imports (cif) 5 728 5 578 -3 16 344 16 121 -1
Balance -297 -134   -892 255  

Table 2. International trade indexes (2010=100)

Index March 2018 March 2019 Change %
2019:03/2019:02
Change %
2019:03/2018:03
Mean *
2018:04-2019:03
Change %
2018:04-2019:03/
2017:04-2018:03
Volume index exports 106,2 103,9 +5,1 -2,2 102,9 +2,4
Volume index imports 109,8 109,2 +6,7 -0,5 105,4 -1,3
Unit value index exports 115,7 119,0 +1,1 +2,9 118,1 +4,2
Unit value index imports 118,2 118,0 +0,3 -0,2 120,1 +6,6

* 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
Telasuo, Christina tel. +358 40 332 1828
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

28.6.2019