The value of Egyptian exports reached EGP 16.6bn during April 2016, while imports recorded EGP 40.5bn in the same month, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS). CAPMAS stated in its monthly bulletin on foreign trade statistics issued on Monday, that the trade balance deficit reached EGP 23.9bn in April 2016, compared to EGP 32.3bn for the same month last year, marking a decrease of 26.0%. The value of exports increased by 14.1%, as it reached EGP 16.6bn, versus EGP 14.5bn year-on-year. CAPMAS attributed the increase in exports to the rise in value of some products, including petroleum products by 1.4%, fresh oranges by 29.4%, fertilisers by 524.8%, as well as a variety of slurries and food preparations by 3.3%. Meanwhile, exports of some commodities declined in April 2016, including crude oil by 24.1%, apparel by 5.7%, potatoes by 13.4%, and primary plastics by 8.8%. As for imports, the value of imports decreased by 13.5% in April this year, reaching EGP 40.5bn, versus EGP 46.8bn in the same month last year. The fall of import value was attributed to the decrease in value of some commodities, including petroleum products by 5.3%, raw materials like iron or steel by 5.7%, passenger cars by 3.7%, and primary plastics by 7.7%. According to CAPMAS, imports of some commodities increased in April 2016 as compared to 2015, such as chemical materials (organic and inorganic) by 1.2%, wood and articles thereof by 15.0%, meat by 7.8%, fats, greases, and vegetable oils by 44.5%.
