The Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS) has published data on the flow of export and import in 2018.

In this publication of trade statistics, more details are given on what our country exports to the foreign market and what it imports from the foreign market.

Data on trade in goods in Kosovo in 2018 show a trade deficit of 2 979.5 million euros, or expressed as a percentage, the trade deficit is higher by 11.6% compared to 2017. Even in this year the balance was negative. Total exports in this year were 367.5 million euros, while the total of imports were 3 347.0 million euros. Export covered import for only 11.0%.

Comparing export data in goods of 2018 with those of 2017, figures show an annual decline of -2.8%, indicating that Kosovo continues to have a negative trade balance.

Exports by sectors in this year increased in these groups: wood and articles thereof, worth about 5.6 million euros, compared to 4.4 million euros in 2017, or 1.5% of total exports, up by 28.5%; various manufactured items in the amount of about 13.1 million euros, compared to 10.3 million euros in 2017, or 3.6% of total exports with a growth of 26.8%; chemical industry products worth about 7.4 million euros, compared to 5.8 million euros in 2017, or 2.0% of total exports, up by 26.6%; plastics, rubber and articles in the amount of about 44.7 million euros, compared with 35.6 million euros in 2017, or 12.2% of total exports, with a growth of 25.7%; machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment worth about 11.5 million euros, compared to 9.4 million euros in 2017, or 3.1% of total imports with a growth of 22.0%; stone, plaster, ceramic and glass products worth about 7.7 million euros, compared to 6.4 million euros in 2017, or 2.1% of total exports with a growth of 19.8%; textile and articles thereof worth about 10.6 million euros, compared to 9.9 million euros in 2017, or 2.9% of total imports with 7.1% increase; prepared foodstuffs, beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco in the amount of about 39.0 million euros, compared to 36.8 million euros in 2017, or 10.6% of total exports with a growth of 5.9%; paper and articles thereof in the amount of about 5.3 million euros compared to 5.2 million euros in 2017 or 1.5% of total exports by 2.8%; plant products worth about 23.8 million euros, compared to 23.4 million euros in 2017, or 6.5% of total exports with a growth of 1.7%.

During this period, exports declined in these groups: mineral products worth about 51.2 million euros, compared to 72.6 million euros in 2017, or 14.0% of total exports with a decline of 29.5%; footwear (footwear and articles thereof) in the amount of about 2.0 million euros, compared to 2.7 million euros in 2017, or 0.6% of total exports with -24.5% decrease; leather and articles thereof in the amount of about 10.9 million euros, compared to 11.8 million euros in 2017, or 3.0% of total exports with a decrease of (-7.6%); base metals and articles thereof in the amount of about 125.2 million euros, compared to 135.4 million euros in 2017, or 34.1% of total exports with a decrease of (-7.5%).

A positive trend of increasing exports from 2008 to 2018 has been in the following groups of sectors: prepared foodstuffs, beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco from 10.5 million euros to 39.0 million euros; plastics, rubber and articles thereof from 6.4 thousand euros to 44.7 million euros; plant products from 8.9 million euros to 23.8 million euros; various manufactured items from 2.3 euros to 13.1 million euros; textiles and articles thereof from 2.5 million euros to 10.6 million euros.

Data of trade in goods for Kosovo's imports in 2018 recorded an annual growth of about 9.8%, compared with the previous year 2017.

Growth of imports by sector was observed in these groups: base metals and articles thereof in the amount of about 372.1 million euros, compared to 307.1 million euros in 2017, or 11.1% of total imports with a growth of 21.2%; machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment in the amount of about 435.1 million euros, compared to 361.4 million euros in 2017, or 13.0% of total imports with an increase of 20.4%; various manufactured items in the amount of about 105.5 million euros, compared to 88.2 million euros in 2017, or 3.2% of total imports with a growth of 19.6%; textile and articles thereof worth about 162.5 million euros, compared to 139.9 million euros in 2017, or 4.9% of total imports with a growth of 16.1%; mineral products (fuels) in the amount of about 510.5 million euros, compared to 442.6 million euros in 2017, or 15.3% of total imports with a growth of 15.3%; leather and articles thereof in the amount of about 10.2 million euros, compared to 9.0 million euros in 2017, or 0.3% of total exports with an increase of 11.2%; plastics, rubber and articles thereof in the amount of about 214.0 million euros, compared to 194.2 million euros in 2017, or 6.4% of total imports with a growth of 10.2%; animals, products of animal origin in the amount of about 132.0 million euros, compared to 121.4 million euros in 2017, or 3.9% of total imports with an increase of 8.7%; footwear (footwear and articles thereof) in the amount of about 39.1 million euros, compared to 36.2 million euros in 2017, or 1.2% of total imports with an increase of 8.0%; stone, plaster, ceramic and glass products in the amount of about 118.1 million euros, compared to 111.0 million euros in 2017, or 3.5% of total exports with an increase of 6.3%; paper and articles thereof in the amount of about 47.7 million euros, compared to 46.0 million euros in 2017, or 1.4% of total imports with a 3.5% increase; chemical industry products worth about 235.1 million euros, compared to 230.4 million euros in 2017, or 7.0% of total imports with a 2.1% increase; prepared foodstuffs, beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco in the amount of about 400.5 million euros, compared to 395.8 million euros in 2017, or 12.0% of total imports with a 1.2% increase; various means of transport in the amount of about 268.7 million euros, compared to 267.5 million euros in 2017, or 8.0% of total imports with a 0.4% increase.

While, during this period, there has been a fall in imports in these groups: wood and wood products worth about 73.5 million euros, compared to 77.1 million euros in 2017, or 2.2% of total imports, down by (-4.8%), Fats in the amount of about 27.9 million euros, compared to 28.3 million euros in 2017, or 0.8% of total imports falling by (-1.5%).

Kosovo's exports to EU countries amounted to 110.8 million euros, or about 30.2% of total exports, with an increase of (-17.7%). The main partners for export in the EU are: Germany (6.8%), Holland (4.0%), Slovenia (3.7%) and Great Britain (2.7%). According to the chapters, the highest participation the EU countries have in these groups: plastics and articles thereof with 20.9 million euros, or about 18.9%; ores, colors and ashes with 16.4 million euros, or about 14.8%; mineral fuels and mineral oils with 14.1 million euros, or about 12.8%.

Meanwhile, Kosovo's imports from EU countries amounted to 1 457.3 million euros, or 43.5% of total imports, with an increase of 11.1%. The highest share of imports were from Germany (11.8%), Italy (6.1%), Greece (3.7%), Slovenia (2.8%) and Poland (2.6%).

EU countries cover most of Kosovo's general imports. The highest-rated imports were in these chapters: mineral fuels and mineral oils and their products, 246.7 million euros, or about 16.9%; various means of transport, 236.6 million euros, or about 16.2%, etc.

Meanwhile, in 2018, Kosovo's exports to CEFTA countries reached 173.5 million euros, or 47.2% of total exports, down by (-5.2%). The main partners for export in CEFTA countries were: Albania (18.6%), Macedonia (11.9%), Serbia (9.1%) and Montenegro (5.3%).

According to the chapters, CEFTA countries have the highest participation in these groups: iron and steel articles, 26.9 million euros, or about 15.5%; iron and steel, 24.9 million euros, or about 14.4%; beverages, alcoholic beverages and vinegar, 20.9 million euros, or about 12.1%, etc.

While imports from CEFTA countries in 2018 amounted to 853.5 million euros, or 25.5% of total imports, down by (-0.3%). The countries with the highest participation for imports were: Serbia (11.6%), Albania (6.2%) and Macedonia (5.1%).

Highest imports were in these chapters: iron and steel, 162.3 million euros, or around 19.0%; Mineral oils and products of their destination, 144.5 million euros, or about 16.9%, etc.

Kosovo's exports to other countries of the world reached 83.1 million euros, or 22.6%. The most important partners for export were India (9.9%) and Switzerland (7.8%).

Meanwhile, Kosovo's imports to other countries of the world amounted to 1 036.1 million euros, or 31.0%. The countries with the highest share of imports in this group were Turkey (10.1%) and China (9.3%).