Exports hardly up

The volume of goods exports was 1 percent in October 2008 up on twelve months previously. This is the same increase as in September, but considerably smaller than the average volume growth in the first nine months of the year. The volume of goods imports increased by nearly 6 percent, which is slightly higher than the average volume growth in the first nine months of this year.

The value of exports was 32.9 billion euro, 4 percent up on October last year. The value of imports grew by 6 percent to 29.4 billion euro. This resulted in a trade surplus of 3.4 billion euro,  0.6 billion euro down on October 2007.

Import and export values of mineral fuels were substantially higher than twelve months previously. In addition, Dutch companies imported more raw materials in October. Exports of raw materials, machines and transport equipment on the other hand decreased. The value of exports to countries outside the EU was slightly lower than one year previously.

Falling oil prices have slowed down price rises for imports and exports in recent months. Before that price rises were increasing. In October import prices were up by 1 percent and export prices were up by 3 percent compared with the year before. Indeed, the terms of trade improved considerably compared with October last year.

Goods exports (volume)