SEVE: Exports over € 15 billion in the first four months – Estimates for a new record in 2022

Greek exports seem to be heading for a new record in 2022, as their growth in the first months of the year exceeds 30%. Already from the first four months they exceeded € 15 billion. an increase of 31.3% compared to the record performance of 2021. However, the uncontrolled increase of imports with and without petroleum products, which results in the recording of the largest trade deficit in the first four months, is of particular concern. its performance to approach the level of exports in the corresponding period of 2021 (trade deficit in the first four months of 2022: € 11.3 billion – exports in the first four months of 2021: € 11.9 billion).

The export performance of April fluctuated at high levels and amounted to € 4,106.6 million according to the data announced today 07.06.2022 by the Hellenic Statistical Authority and processed by the Institute of Export Research and Studies (IEES) of SEVE. Their increase amounted to € 910.8 million (ie 28.5%) compared to the corresponding month of 2021 and to € 1,986.4 million (ie 93.7%) compared to the corresponding month of 2020. Imports amounted to € 6,854.1 million compared to € 5,033.6 million last year and € 3,201.1 million the year before, with an increase of € 1,820.5 million (ie 36.2%) and € 3,653 , 0 million (ie 114.1%) respectively, while the trade deficit amounted to € 2,747.5 million, higher by € 909.7 million compared to April 2021, as shown in Table 1.

Excluding the impact of petroleum products on April trade in exports, exports increased by € 305.7 million (ie 12.7%) from € 2,415.5 million in 2021 to € 2,721.2 million this year, while Imports from € 3,834.4 million in April 2021 amounted to € 4,722.7 million in April 2022 with an increase of € 888.3 million, ie 23.2%. The trade balance showed a deficit which amounted to € 2,001.5 million compared to € 1,418.9 million in April 2021 and € 895.9 million in April 2020.

Regarding the first four months of 2022, Greece’s export performance was significantly increased compared to the last two years and reached the amount of € 15,723.8 million from € 11,979.9 million last year and € 10,103.3 million last year, with the increase amounting to € 3,743.9 million (ie 31.3%) and 5,620.5 million (ie 55.6%) respectively. Imports amounted to € 27,024.9 million, increased by € 8,461.1 million, ie 45.6% compared to the first four months of 2021. The trade deficit jumped to € 11,301.1 million, increased by 71.6%, ie € 4,717.2 million compared to last year. Excluding petroleum products, exports amounted to € 10,992.5 million compared to € 9,072.4 million last year, imports amounted to € 18,879.4 million compared to € 14,445.1 million last year, while the trade deficit reached € 7,886 , 9 million

Increase in exports was recorded by all sectors in the first four months of 2022 compared to the corresponding period of 2021, with industrial recording an increase of € 745.3 million, ie 39.4%, food increase of € 296.2 million, ie 15.5%, chemicals increase € 51.8 million, ie 2.7%, machinery and vehicles increase € 420.1 million, ie 37.6%, various industrial products increase € 153.2 million. , ie 17.8%, raw materials increase € 51.3 million, ie 8.4%, beverages and tobacco increase € 14.7 million, ie 4.9%, fats and oils increase € 34, 4 million, ie 13.8% and unclassified products an increase of € 69.4 million, ie 45.0%.

At the level of destinations, the 27 member states of the European Union absorbed 55.3% (€ 8,649.9 million) of Greek exports of goods, while if we exclude petroleum products, the percentage amounts to 66.7% (€ 7,337.3 million). .). Respectively, 44.7% (€ 7,028.9 million) of Greek exports of goods and 33.3% (€ 3,655.2 million) without petroleum products were sent to Third Countries.