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Oil refining kept the exports going for most of the year
Exports in 2012 remained at the level of previous year due to a weak end of the year

Publication date 7.2.2013 9.00
Press release

According to the preliminary data of Finnish Customs, the value of Finland’s exports in 2012 remained at 56.8 billion euros, which is the same level as the previous year. In January–October, the exports showed a little growth, but the growth waned during November–December. The imports decreased by two per cent and amounted to just under 59.1 billion euros. According to the preliminary data, the trade balance showed a deficit of 2.3 billion euros, whereas the deficit in 2011 was 3.7 billion euros.

Oil products were the most important growth area in exports. Both the export volumes and the export prices of refined oil products increased from the year before. The exports of many electrical appliances and foodstuffs also increased. The long-term decrease of the communication equipment exports continued, however, and the value of the basic metals industry exports also took a downward turn last year.

The increase in the import price of crude oil, as well as the imports of foodstuffs and certain chemical industry products kept the value of the total imports nearly at the 2011 level. The imports of vessels, aeroplanes and rolling stock also increased, whereas the electro-technical imports as well as the imports of metals, machinery and cars decreased from 2011.

The exports stayed at the same level as in 2011 due to the exports to non-EU countries, which grew by four per cent in 2012, whereas the exports to other EU countries diminished by four per cent. The exports to the eurozone diminished by only three per cent and the exports to the EU countries outside the eurozone by five per cent. The imports from other EU countries remained nearly at the 2011 level, but the imports from non-EU countries decreased by four per cent.

Most of the trade deficit in 2012 was due to external trade, which showed a deficit of over 1.4 billion euros. Trade with other EU countries was 850 million euros in deficit.

Finnish Customs, Statistics
Enquiries:
Mr Timo Koskimäki, Statistics Director, tel. +358 40 332 1851
Ms Christina Telasuo, Senior Customs Officer, tel. +358 40 332 1828
Mr Matti Heiniemi, Senior Customs Officer, tel. 040 332 1845
E-mail: name.surname@tulli.fi
Statistikmeddelande Utrikeshandelsstatistik