External trade - August 2018

Surplus of the Trade Balance Fell Year−on−Year

09.10.2018
Code: 241018-18
 

According to preliminary data in current prices, in August 2018 the external trade balance in goods ended in a surplus of CZK 2.3 bn, which was by CZK 2.6 bn lower, year−on−year (y−o−y).

The total balance in the national concept1), was unfavourably influenced mainly by a worse trade balance of 'other transport vehicles' by CZK 3.7 bn (a surplus turned into a deficit) and by a larger deficit in 'crude petroleum and natural gas' by CZK 3.3 bn. The trade surplus in 'motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers' went down by CZK 1.9 bn, y−o−y.

A better balance of 'computer, electronic and optical products' by CZK 6.9 bn brought the main positive effect on the total balance.

In August 2018 the trade balance with the EU28 Member States ended in a surplus of CZK 49.1 bn, and thus it was by CZK 3.9 bn higher, y−o−y. The trade deficit with the non-EU countries increased by CZK 6.5 bn to reach the amount of CZK 45.7 bn.

Compared to July 2018 the seasonally adjusted exports and imports in the national concept increase by 0.6% and 0.2% respectively. The development trend shows increasing exports (+0.4%) and imports (+0.2%).

Compared to the same month of 2017, exports and imports rose by 4.4% (to CZK 288.5 bn) and 5.5% (to CZK 286.2 bn) respectively.

In the period from January to August 2018 the trade balance surplus in the national concept reached CZK 101.1 bn which represented a decrease by CZK 27.0 bn, y−o−y. From the beginning of the year exports and imports increased by 2.1% and 3.4% 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 August 2018 exports and imports increased by 2.5% and 6.7% respectively. Total exports and imports of goods amounted to a value of CZK 341.1 bn and CZK 326.6 bn, respectively.

According to the Eurostat statistics, in July 2018 the Czech Republic shares in the total exports and imports of the European Union were 2.8% 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-.

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 and 2017 are final and data for 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: 6 November 2018

  •      avzo100918.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)
Archive:
Show all Hide

Published: 09.10.2018
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