External trade - April 2018

Surplus Increased Year-on-Year

06.06.2018
Code: 241018-18
 

According to preliminary data in current prices, in April 2018 the external trade balance in goods ended in a surplus of CZK 15.8 bn, which was by CZK 3.8 bn higher, year−on−year (y−o−y).


Year−on−year, total balance in the national concept1) was favourably influenced mainly by a y−o−y decrease of deficit in 'crude petroleum and natural gas' by CZK 3.0 bn and by an increase of surplus in 'motor vehicles' by CZK 2.4 bn, 'electrical equipment' by CZK 1.3 bn and 'machinery and equipment' by CZK 1.0 bn as well.

A deeper deficit in 'coke and refined petroleum products' and 'chemicals and chemical products' by CZK 1.6 bn and CZK 1.0 bn respectively had the main negative effect on the total trade balance, y−o−y.

In April 2018 the trade balance with the EU28 Member States ended in a surplus of CZK 57.1 bn, and thus it was by CZK 4.2 bn higher, y−o−y. The trade deficit with the non-EU countries widened by CZK 0.6 bn to reach the amount of CZK 39.9 bn.

Compared to March 2018 the seasonally adjusted exports and imports in the national concept fell by 0.6% and 1.3% respectively. The development trend shows decreasing exports (−0.1%) and stagnating imports.

Compared to the same month of 2017, exports and imports grew by 5.8% (to CZK 291.6 bn) and by 4.6% (to CZK 275.8 bn) respectively. April 2018 had two days more compared to April 2017.

In the period from January to April 2018 the trade balance surplus in the national concept reached CZK 73.6 bn which represented a decrease by CZK 5.4 bn, y−o−y. From the beginning of the year exports and imports increased by 0.2% and 0.7% respectively, y−o−y.

Detailed information on external trade in the national concept:

https://www.czso.cz/csu/czso/external_trade_in_goods_according_to_the_change_of_ownership_-national_concept-.

Information on the cross-border movement of goods

According to preliminary data in current prices of the cross-border concept2) in April 2018 exports and imports increased by 6.8% and 4.8% respectively. Total exports and imports of goods amounted to a value of CZK 352.0 bn and CZK 311.6 bn, respectively.

According to the Eurostat statistics, in March 2018 the Czech Republic shares in the total exports and imports of the European Union were 3.0% and 2.7%, respectively.

Detailed information on external trade in the cross-border concept:

https://www.czso.cz/csu/czso/external_trade_in_goods_according_to_the_movement_-cross_border_concept-.

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Notes:
1) The national concept of external trade reflects export and import performance of the Czech economy, i.e. the external trade balance of the Czech Republic as well. It measures real trade in goods carried out between Czech and foreign entities, i.e. a change of ownership between residents and non-residents.
2) The cross-border concept of external trade reflects only physical movements of goods across the border regardless of whether the trade between Czech and foreign entities occurs. These data are internationally comparable and can be used as indicators of development in the value of trade.

Data for companies, that failed to report data (non-response), have been imputed according to dispatches and receptions these companies reported in the previous period. Data for companies exempted from the reporting duty were estimated on the basis of the data given in the VAT return forms. The data, which were not available from the VAT return forms, are estimated on the basis of the values for previous periods.

Data for 2016 are final and data for 2017 and 2018 are preliminary.

 Responsible head at the CZSO: Karel Král, Director of External Trade Statistics Department, phone number (+420) 274 054 253, e-mail: karel.kral@czso.cz
Contact person: Marcela Sládková, Head of External Trade Statistics Outputs Unit, phone number (+420) 274 054 059, e-mail: marcela.sladkova@czso.cz
Method of data collection: Intrastat forms and single administrative documents; and value added tax return forms
End of data collection: 20th working day after the end of the reference month
Following data set: w-241013-18 External Trade of the Czech Republic –detailed breakdown (monthly): https://www.czso.cz/current-product/41320
External Trade Database is available on: http://apl.czso.cz/pll/stazo/STAZO.STAZO?jazyk=EN
Next News Release will be published on: 9 July 2018

  •      avzo060618.docx
  • Annexes:
  • Chart 1 Balance of external trade in goods in the national concept (total trade balance, trade balances with the EU Member States and non-EU countries)
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Published: 06.06.2018
The data are valid as of the release date of the publication.


Contact: Information Services Unit - Headquarters, tel.: +420 274 056 789, email: infoservis@czso.cz