Comparing March 2013 with March 2012, the value of exports decreased by €680 million (or -8 percent) to €7,947 million. The main drivers being decreases in the exports of Medical and pharmaceutical products of €184 million (or -9 percent), €163 million (or -15 percent) for Machinery and transport equipment and €154 million (or -77 percent) for Petroleum and petroleum products.
On an overall basis the EU accounted for €4,529 million (or 57 percent) of total exports in March 2013. The USA was the main non-EU destination accounting for 26 percent (€2,100 million) of total exports in March 2013.
Comparing March 2013 with March 2012, the value of imports decreased by €858 million (or -17 percent) to €4,129 million. The large decreases were €607 million (or -85 percent) in the imports of Other transport equipment (including aircraft) and €188 million (or -37 percent) in the imports of Medical and pharmaceutical products. Two-thirds of the value of imports in March 2013 came from the EU, with one-third coming from Great Britain. The USA (10 percent) and China (6 percent) were the main non-EU sources of imports.