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

Data from the External Trade indicate a higher trade deficit of 249.0 million euros, or 14.8% in August 2016 compared with a deficit of 216.9 million euros of the same period of 2015. Exports covers imports by 7.9%.

Exports of goods in the month of August 2016 were worth 21.4 million euros, while imports were 270.4 million euros, which is a decline of (-24.2%) for exports and an increase of 10.3% for imports compared to the same period 2015.

According to the key export groups: 29.0% are base metals and articles thereof; 17.0% are mineral products; 12.4% are prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco; 10.5% are plastics, rubber and articles thereof; 9.3% are plant products; 3.8% are miscellaneous manufactured articles; 3.6% are textile and articles thereof; 3.0% are machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment, etc.

While, according to data for import groups: 15.0% of import consists of prepared food, beverages and tobacco; 13.7% are machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment; 13.1% are mineral products; 10.5% are base metals and articles thereof; 6.8% are products of the chemical industry; 6.4% are means of transport; 6.1% are plastics, rubber and articles thereof, etc.

Exports to EU countries amounted to 4.6 million euros, or 21.7% of total exports, a decrease of (-45.1%). The main partners for export of goods to the EU are: Germany (5.2%), Bulgaria (3.5%), Austria (2.9%), and Croatia (2.2%).

But Kosovo's imports from EU countries are about 109.3 million euros, or 40.4% of total imports, an increase of 5.8%. Imports with the highest participation are from: Germany (11.8%), Italy (8.2%), Poland (3.1%), Greece (2.9%), etc.

Meanwhile, Kosovo's exports to CEFTA countries, in the month of August 2016 totalled 11.0 million euros, or 51.3% of total exports, a decrease of (-8.6%). While the main export partners of the CEFTA countries are: Albania (17.2%), Macedonia (14.0%), Serbia (9.4%) and Montenegro (7.7%).

Meanwhile, imports from CEFTA countries in August 2016 amounted to 76.9 million euros, or 28.4% of total imports, which had an increase of 8.8%. But, countries with the highest share of import were: Serbia (14.8%), Macedonia (6.0%), Albania (3.9%) and B & H (3.2%).

Exports to other countries of the world amounted to 5.8 million euros, or 27.1%, while, as the most important partners for export from these countries are: Switzerland (6.4%) and Turkey (3.2%).

Meanwhile, imports of Kosovo with other countries of the world amounted to 84.2 million euros, or 31.1%, whereas countries with the highest participation of import in this group are: Turkey (10.4%) and China (8.9%).

For more information regarding the External Trade Statistics for the month of August 2016, visit: http://ask.rks-gov.net/en/