In the period from January to May 2015 Croatia's exports of goods increased by 10% in comparison with the same period of 2014. The same export growth rate was also recorded in the first four months of 2015.
The group of countries with the highest export growth rates was led by Cyprus (+38%), followed by Ireland (+18%), Malta (+17%) and Bulgaria (+11%).
Croatia's intra-EU28 exports increased by 13%. The highest rates were recorded only in Cyprus (+25%) and Ireland (+16%). On the other hand, Croatia's extra-EU28 exports rose by a more modest 5%. The highest rate of exports to non-EU countries was recorded in Cyprus (57%).
Croatia's imports in the first five months of 2015 went up by 5% compared with the same period of 2014. In the first four months of the year its imports increased by 4%.
Malta stood out among the EU member states with the highest jump in imports of 43%. A two-digit increase was also recorded by the United Kingdom (13%).
Croatia's intra-EU imports rose by 8% in relation to the first five months of 2014. The highest increases in imports from other EU member states were recorded by Malta (34%) and the UK (12%).
Croatia's extra-EU imports dropped by 5%. By comparison, its imports from non-EU countries in the first four months of the year fell by 7%.
Overall, the first estimate for extra-EU28 exports of goods in May 2015 was EUR 145.8 billion, up 4% compared with May 2014. Imports from the rest of the world stood at EUR 139.5 billion, down 1% compared with May 2014. As a result, the EU28 recorded a EUR 6.3 billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in May 2015. By comparison, in May 2014 the surplus was a mere EUR 200 million.
Intra-EU28 trade rose to EUR 248.2 billion in May 2015, up by 2% compared with May 2014.
The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in May 2015 was EUR 164.4 billion, an increase of 3% compared with May 2014. Imports from the rest of the world stood at EUR 145.6 billion, nearly stable compared with May 2014 (EUR 145.5 billion). As a result, the euro area recorded a EUR 18.8 billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in May 2015. By comparison, the surplus in May 2014 was EUR 14.7 billion.
Intra-euro area trade rose to EUR 137.3 billion in May 2015, up by 1% compared with May 2014.