According to provisional figures published by Statistics Netherlands, the value of international trade in goods rose sharply in the first month of 2006.
Imports went up by 20 percent, exports by 15 percent, compared to January 2005. This was partly the effect of higher prices.
Import value of goods amounted to 22.4 billion euro; the value of exports reached 24.5 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of 2.1 billion euro.
Higher import and export prices Import and export prices were 7 percent higher in January 2006 than in the same month last year, but January 2006 had one extra working day relative to January 2005.
If price rises and the effect of the extra working day are taken into account, the volume of imports was 8 percent up in January 2006 on January 2005.
The volume of exports increased by 5 percent. Mineral fuels and computers dominate trade increase.
The distinct rise in import value of goods was caused for almost 60 percent by imports of mineral fuels and computers. These product groups accounted for an increase in exports of approximately 50 percent.
marketing@alchempro.com
