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Monthly statistics on the international trade in goods, May 2019

31.7.2019 9.00



Finnish Customs, Statistics

Both export prices and export volume increased in May

The value of Finnish exports of goods increased by seven per cent year-on-year in May, according to the international trade in goods statistics provided by Finnish Customs. The value of Finnish exports was nearly 5.8 billion euros. Export prices rose by 3.6 per cent and export volume by 4.5 per cent. In January-May, the value of exports increased by five per cent year-on-year.

The value of imports rose by two per cent in May and was slightly under 5.8 billion euros. Import volume increased by 3.9 per cent, but import prices declined by 1.2 per cent year-on-year. In January-May, the value of imports rose by one per cent compared to the previous year.  

The balance of trade showed a surplus of 18 million euros in May. In January-May, the trade balance showed a deficit of 50 million euros. In May 2018, the trade balance had a deficit of 249 million euros, and in January-May, there was a deficit of almost a billion 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 May because export prices grew and import prices declined. The point figure in May was 103.4, while it was 98.6 in May 2018. The terms of trade improved also from the April 2019 point figure of 99.9.

Exports of machinery and equipment increased significantly in May. The value of passenger car exports also increased. The value of exports of petroleum products increased rapidly from last year, but the growth in exports of other chemical industry products was slower. The value of total exports of forest industry products remained at the level of the previous year. Imports of industrial supplies were down in May, while imports of other main groups rose year-on-year.

Exports to EU countries grew by six per cent and exports to non-EU countries by nine per cent in May. Exports to China and the United Kingdom fell in May, but exports to other major trading partners increased. Imports from EU countries increased by four per cent, but imports from non-EU countries remained at last year’s level in May. Imports from Sweden declined, while imports from other major trading partners increased.

Table 1. Total development (e million)

Direction May 2018 May 2019 Change % January-May 2018 January-May 2019 Change %
Exports (fob) 5 369 5 768 +7 26 412 27 686 +5
Imports (cif) 5 618 5 750 +2 27 437 27 735 +1
Balance -249 +18   -1 025 -50  

Table 2. International trade indexes (2010=100)

Index May 2018 May 2019 Change %
2019:05/2019:04
Change %
2019:05/2018:05
Mean *
2018:06-2019:05
Change %
2018:06-2019:05/
2017:06-2018:05
Volume index exports 103,7 108,3 +4,6 +4,5 102,8 +1,4
Volume index imports 109,3 113,6 +1,8 +3,9 106,2 -0,8
Unit value index exports 116,7 120,9 +1,2 +3,6 118,9 +4,5
Unit value index imports 118,4 117,0 -2,2 -1,2 120,1 +5,5

* 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
Penttilä, Olli-Pekka tel. +358 40 332 1862
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

30.8.2019