Foreign trade of Lithuania in I half-year 2009

Statistics Lithuania reports that, based on non-final data obtained from customs declarations and Intrastat reporting data, exports in I half-year 2009 made LTL 19 billion, while imports – LTL 21.2 billion. The foreign trade deficit of Lithuania made LTL 2.2 billion and was by 77.5 per cent lower than in the same period in 2008. Data on trade with EU countries were adjusted after VAT declarations’ data had been received.

Over I half-year 2009 as compared with I half-year 2008, exports and imports decreased, respectively, by 31 and 43.5 per cent; mineral products excluded, exports decreased by 26.8 per cent, imports – by 44.3 per cent. Exports of goods of Lithuanian origin decreased by 32.2 per cent, mineral products excluded – by 26 per cent.

The decrease in exports was influenced by a 43.6 per cent decrease in exports of petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, 43 per cent – vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, 43 per cent – fertilisers, 45.3 per cent – electrical machinery and equipment. Imports decreased due to a 45.3 per cent decrease in imports of crude petroleum, 73.9 per cent – vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, 52 per cent – boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances.

In June 2009, against May, exports and imports increased by, respectively, 11.3 and 1 per cent. Mineral products excluded, exports and imports increased by, respectively, 5.7 and 4.9 per cent.

Over I half-year 2009, the most important partners in exports were Russia (12.4 per cent), Latvia (10.1 per cent), Germany (9.3 per cent) and Estonia (7.0 per cent). The most important partners in imports were Russia (30.7 per cent), Germany (11.4 per cent), Poland (9.9 per cent) and Latvia (6.2 per cent).

Over I half-year 2009, the most significant share in exports fell within mineral products (21.1 per cent), products of the chemical or allied industries (10.2 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment (9.3 per cent). The most significant share in imports fell within mineral products (29.6 per cent), products of the chemical or allied industries (12.4 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment (12.2 per cent).