Eurozone Trade Surplus Down in 2021 as Deficit Widens in December

Source: Eurostat

The eurozone trade balance posted a deficit for the second straight month in December 2021, as imports outpaced exports.  EZU is up 2.04%, while VGK is up 2.24%

• The euro area trade deficit stood at €4.6 billion in December, reversing the €28.3-billion surplus recorded the same month in 2020.
• The latest deficit follows the €1.5-billion deficit recorded in November, the first deficit recorded in seven years since January 2014.
• Exports for the month jumped 14.1% to €218.7 billion from €191.7 billion in 2020.  Imports climbed by 36.7% to €223.3 billion from €163.4 billion due to energy imports.
• The latest figures brought the full-year 2021 trade balance at a €128.4-billion surplus, lower than the €233.9 billion recorded in 2020.
• Annual exports grew by 14.1% to €2.434 billion from €2.133 billion, while imports rose by 21.4% to €2.305 billion from €1.900 billion.
• The European Union recorded a €10.0-billion deficit in December, compared with the €29.3-billion surplus in December 2020.