Trade deficit in April up

Malta registered a trade deficit of €247 million in April, compared to €108.6 million in the corresponding month of 2015, preliminary figures show.   Provisional data for international trade show that the trade deficit in April was up by €138.4 million when compared to the corresponding month in 2015. Imports increased by €59.6 million while exports decreased by €78.7 million, according to the National Statistics Office.   The increase in the value of imports was primarily due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€60m). The major commodity groups that accounted for the decrease in exports were mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€23.6m), food (€17.8m), miscellaneous manufactured articles (€15.1m), machinery and transport equipment (€13.4m), and chemicals (€8.1m).   During the first four months this year, the trade deficit widened by €312.8m when compared to the corresponding period last year. Imports show an increase of €162.1m, with exports decreasing by €150.7m.