Foreign trade of Lithuania in January– August 2009

Statistics Lithuania reports that, based on non-final data obtained from customs declarations and Intrastat reporting data, exports in January–August 2009 totalled LTL 25.6 billion, while imports – LTL 28.9 billion. Foreign trade deficit of Lithuania made LTL 3.3 billion, and was by 73.8 per cent lower than during the same period in 2008. Data on trade with EU countries were adjusted after VAT declarations’ data had been received. 

In January–August 2009, against January–August 2008, exports and imports decreased by, respectively, 32.3 and 42.7 per cent, mineral products excluded – by, respectively, 27.9 and 42.8 per cent. Exports of goods of Lithuanian origin decreased by 33.6 per cent, mineral products excluded – by 27.2 per cent. 

An impact on the decline in exports was made by the decrease in exports of petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (by 44.5 per cent), fertilizers (by 50.5 per cent), vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock (by 45 per cent), electrical machinery and equipment (by 45.1 per cent). Imports declined due to decreased imports of crude petroleum (by 44.8 per cent), vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock (by 72.4 per cent), boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances (by 50.3 per cent). 

In August 2009, against July, exports and imports increased by, respectively, 2 and 4.3 per cent, mineral products excluded – by, respectively, 2.2 and 2.1 per cent. Exports of goods of Lithuanian origin increased by 0.9 per cent, mineral products excluded – by 0.9 per cent. 

In January–August 2009, the most important partners in exports were Russia (12.8 per cent), Latvia (10.2 per cent), Germany (9.6 per cent) and Estonia (7.2 per cent). The most important partners in imports were Russia (31.2 per cent), Germany (11.1 per cent), Poland (10 per cent) and Latvia (6.2 per cent). 

In January–August 2009, the largest share in exports fell within mineral products (22 per cent), products of the chemical or allied industries (9.6 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment (9.6 per cent). The most significant share in imports fell within mineral products (30.1 per cent), products of the chemical or allied industries (12.6 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment (12 per cent).