According to INSTAT, the export of fruits and vegetables has increased 30% in 2016, with a total value of less than €60 million. Different from other categories, products in the category of “food, soft drinks, and tobacco” has shown an increase 20% higher than in 2015, while import has increased less.
In spite of this increase in export, the value of the external trade balance for this category remains disappointing, around €550 million per year. This clearly shows that our country continues to spend more money on importing food than to earn money from its export. This trade deficit has remained unchanged.
The only other category of export products showing an improvement has been “clothes,” showing an increase in export of 28%. In total this category of goods is responsible for €780 million in export, and €580 million in import, thus showing trade surplus.
In general, the national trade balance has dropped with 11.3%, around €250 million. The total deficit for 2016 was about €2.5 billion.
