Swiss exports grew robustly in January, led by strong sales of pharmaceuticals and food products. Food and luxury food exports rose 20 percent and pharmaceuticals and chemicals exports rose 7.8 percent. Exports from the textile and machinery industry were positive for the first time in 17 months.
Sales to Europe - the country's biggest trading partner - rose by a nominal 3.5 percent with a 6.6 percent rise in exports to euro-zone countries offsetting a 13.3 percent decline to non-euro countries. Sales to North America increased 12 percent and to Japan decreased 15 percent.