Export value remains level in March

The value of Finnish exports remained at the level of the previous year in March, according to the preliminary statistics of international trade in goods provided by the Finnish Customs.

The value of imports, however, decreased three per cent in March year on year. The value of Finnish exports in March was slightly over 5.4 billion euros and the value of imports about 5.5 billion euros.

In January-March, exports increased by six per cent but imports decreased by two per cent year on year.

The trade balance showed a deficit of 95 million euros in March. Calculated from January to March, there was a surplus of 315 million euros. In the same period last year, the balance of trade showed a deficit of 900 million euros.

Last year the trade balance for March showed a deficit of 300 million euros.

Both exports to EU member states and non-EU countries remained at the level of the previous March. Imports from EU-countries decreased by two per cent and imports from non-EU countries declined by five per cent in March.

Calculated from the beginning of the year, exports to EU member states increased by eight per cent and to non-EU countries by three per cent. In the corresponding period, imports from EU member states rose by one per cent, but decreased from other countries by six per cent.