The surplus decreased to CHF 1.33 billion in April from CHF 1.58 billion in March.
Exports dropped by real 0.9 percent from a month ago, following a 2.4 percent decline in March. At the same time, monthly increase in imports slowed to 2.6 percent from 5.9 percent.
In the first quarter, the trade balance showed a surplus of CHF 5.84 billion compared to a surplus of CHF 6.94 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011.