According to preliminary data in current prices, in March 2018 the external trade balance in goods ended in a surplus of CZK 18.7 bn, which was by CZK 6.0 bn lower, year−on−year (y−o−y).

Year−on−year, total balance in the national concept¹⁾ was unfavourably influenced mainly by a y−o−y decrease of surplus in 'motor vehicles' by CZK 4.9 bn, 'other transport equipment' by CZK 2.2 bn and 'machinery and equipment' by CZK 1.9 bn. Deficit in 'coke and refined petroleum products' deepened by CZK 1.0 bn.

A lower deficit in 'crude petroleum and natural gas' by CZK 1.8 bn and 'chemicals and chemical products' by CZK 1.6 bn had the main positive effect on the total trade balance, y−o−y. Surplus in 'electrical equipment' rose (by CZK 1.4 bn). 

In March 2018 the trade balance with the EU28 Member States ended in a surplus of CZK 60.7 bn, and thus it was by CZK 6.0 bn lower, y−o−y. The trade deficit with the non-EU countries widened by CZK 0.3 bn to reach the amount of CZK 40.2 bn.

Compared to February 2018 the seasonally adjusted exports and imports in the national concept grew by 1.1% and 2.7% respectively. The development trend shows decreasing exports (−0.3%) and stagnating imports. 

Compared to the same month of 2017, exports and imports fell by 7.9% (to CZK 308.2 bn) and by 6.6% (to CZK 289.5 bn) respectively. March 2018 had two days less compared to March 2017.

In the period from January to March 2018 the trade balance surplus in the national concept reached CZK 55.6 bn which represented a decrease by CZK 11.4 bn, y−o−y. From the beginning of the year exports and imports went down by 2.3% and 1.1% 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 March 2018 exports and imports decreased by 7.5% and 8.1% respectively. Total exports and imports of goods amounted to a value of CZK 366.3 bn and CZK 319.1 bn, respectively.

According to the Eurostat statistics, in February 2018 the Czech Republic shares in the total exports and imports of the European Union were 3.1% and 2.8%, 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 sets:
w-241013-18 External Trade of the Czech Republic –detailed breakdown (monthly):
https://www.czso.cz/current-product/41320
w-241014-18 External Trade of the Czech Republic –by CZ-CPA in the national concept (quarterly)
https://www.czso.cz/current-product/41321
External Trade Database is available on: http://apl.czso.cz/pll/stazo/STAZO.STAZO?jazyk=EN
Next News Release will be published on: 6 June 2018