Estonia's merchandise trade deficit increased slightly from the previous month in March, data released by Statistics Estonia showed Friday.
The trade shortfall moved up to EUR115.9 million in March from EUR112.9 million in February. In March 2012, the balance was a deficit of EUR124.6 million.
Export of goods increased 5 percent on a monthly basis in March. Year-on-year, however, shipments decreased 6 percent to EUR1.01 billion, faster than February's 2 percent fall.
The top destination country of Estonia's exports was Sweden, followed by Finland and Latvia. The year-on-year decrease in exports was mostly influenced by the decrease in the dispatches to Sweden and Russia.
The value of imports advanced 5 percent sequentially during the month. Compared to March 2012, external purchases dropped 6 percent to EUR1.12 billion, after falling 2 percent in the previous month.
Imports to the country came mainly from Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Germany. On an annual basis, arrivals of goods from China and Sweden increased the most
In the three months ended March, exports and imports increased 3 percent and 2 percent respectively from the corresponding period of 2012.
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