Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS) has published data regarding the flow of exports and imports for the month of December 2016.

Data from International Trade in Kosovo show a trade deficit higher to 7.4% in December 2016 compared with the same period of 2015, ie in the amount of 247,0 million euros, compared to a deficit of 230,0 million euros in 2015. Exports covered imports by 9.0%.

Exports of goods in the month of December 2016 were worth 24,5 million euros, while imports were 271,5 million euros, with an increase of 4.0% for exports and 7.0% for imports compared to the same period of 2015.

According to the key export groups: 36.8% are base metals and articles thereof; 15.7% are mineral products; 11.1% are prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco; 7.9% are plastics, rubber and articles thereof; 6.4% are plant products; 3.7% are leather and articles thereof; 3.7% are textile and articles thereof, etc.

While, according to data for import groups: 15.6% of imports comprise machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment; 13.9% are prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco; 13.5% are mineral products; 10.8% are means of transport; 7.9% are base metals and articles thereof; 6.8% are products of the chemical industry; 5.0% are plastics, rubber and articles thereof, etc.

Exports to EU countries amounted to 5,0 million euros, or around 20.7% of total exports, with an increase of 7.9%. The main partners for export of goods to the EU are: Germany (4.1%), the Netherlands (3.8%), Bulgaria (3.3%).

But Kosovo's imports from the countries of the EU were around 121,7 million euros, or 44.8% of total imports, with an increase of 11.7%. Imports with the highest participation were from: Germany (11.6%), Italy (7.4%), Greece (4.3%), Poland (2.8%), etc.

Meanwhile, Kosovo's exports with CEFTA countries in December 2016 totalled 11,9 million euros, or 48.9% of total exports, with an increase of 43.6%. While the main export partners of the CEFTA countries are: Albania (16.8%), Macedonia (15.5%), Serbia (9.1%) and Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.1%.

Meanwhile, imports with CEFTA countries in December 2016 totalled 70,3 million euros, or 25.9% of total imports, with an increase of 12.8%. Countries with the highest share of import were: Serbia (14.1%), Macedonia (4.8%), Albania (4.6%) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (1.9%).

Exports to other countries totalled 7,4 million euros, or 30.4%. As the most important partners of these countries for export were: China (16.6%) and Switzerland (4.6%).

Meanwhile, imports of Kosovo with other countries amounted to 79,3 million euros, or 29.2%. Countries with the highest share of import in this group were: Turkey (11.2%) and China (8.6%).

For more information regarding the International Trade Statistics for December 2016, visit: http://ask.rks-gov.net/en/kosovo-agency-of-statistics/add-news/statistikat-e-tregtise-se-jashtme-dhjetor-2016