The euro area recorded a €12.5 billion trade surplus in September 2024, up from €9.8 billion in September 2023, according to flash estimates by the EU statistical office Eurostat released on Monday. Exports rose by 0.6 per cent year-on-year to €237.8 billion, while imports fell by 0.6 per cent year-on-year to €225.3 billion. In September 2024, the euro area surplus saw significant rise compared to August 2024, from €4.1 billion to €12.5 billion. This surge was mainly driven by higher surplus for machineries and vehicles (from €+9.7 billion to €+13.8 billion) and a reduced deficit for energy (from €-25.7 billion to €-22.3 billion). From January to September 2024, the euro area posted a €140.8 billion surplus, up from €13.9 billion in the same period in 2023. Exports rose by 0.4 per cent to €2,136.7 billion, while imports fell by 5.6 per cent to €1,995.8 billion. Intra-euro area trade decreased by 3.4 per cent year-on-year to €1,931.9 billion. The European Union (EU) also showed a positive trade balance, recording a €9.6 billion surplus in September 2024, up from €7.3 billion in September 2023. Extra-EU exports increased by 0.8 per cent to €212.6 billion, while imports decreased by 0.3 per cent to €203.1 billion. The EU balance shifted from a deficit of €1.9 billion in August 2024 to a surplus of €9.6 billion in September, mainly driven by a higher surplus in machineries and vehicles (from €+11.3 billion to €+16.4 billion) and a decrease in the deficit for energy (narrowing from €-29.4 billion to €-25.9 billion). From January to September 2024, extra-EU exports rose by 0.9 per cent to €1,922.1 billion, while imports fell by 5.7 per cent to €1,803.3 billion, resulting in a surplus of €118.7 billion compared to a deficit of €6.7 billion in the same period in 2023. Intra-EU trade fell by 2.6 per cent to €3,023.5 billion. Attribution: Eurostat Subediting: Y.Yasser
