Kosovo buys in Serbia, sells in Albania

Foreign trade data in Kosovo points to lower trade deficit for

1.9% in March 2018, in proportion to the same period in 2017, worth 228.9 million Euros, compared to the deficit of 233.3 million euros in 2017. Export covers import by 10.4%.

Exporting goods in March 2018 had a value of 26.4m euros, while importing 255.4m euros, which is a drop of (15.4%) export and (-3.5%) import, compared to the same period in 2017.

According to key export data: 26.1% of exports make up basic metals and articles; 15.3% make up mineral products; 13.3% make up prepared food, drink and tobacco; 13.3% make up plastics, tires and articles; 4.9% make up plant products; 4.7% make up the skin and the articles from it; 4.5% make up machinery, mechanical and electric equipment; 4.2% make up textiles and its articles; 4.0 make up different products.

While, according to key group data for import: 12.8% of imports make up mineral products; 11.7% make up prepared foods, drink and tobacco; 11.2% make up machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment; 10.8% make up basic metals and articles; 9.8% make up chemical industry products; 8.6% make up the means of transport; 6.8% make up plastics, tires and items from them; 5.6% of the plant products, etc.

Kosovo exports to EU countries reached 9.0m euros, or about 34.2% of total exports, with an increase of 18.9%. Key partners for export of goods to the EU are: Germany (7.4%), the Netherlands (4.4%), Great Britain (4.2%), Slovenia (3.4%) and Bulgaria (3.2%).

Kosovo imports from EU countries stood at around 106.0m euros, or 41.5% of total imports, a drop (-9.8%). The high turnout imports were from: Germany (12.0%), Italy (5.5%), Greece (3.1%), Romania (3.0%) etc.

In March 2018, Kosovo's exports with CEFTA countries reached 13.6m euros, or 51.8% of total exports, with a drop of (-4.7%). Key export partners from CEFTA countries are: Albania (20.5%), Macedonia (15.0%), Serbia (8.2%) and Montenegro (6.2%).

While imports from CEFTA countries in March 2018 reached 66.0m euros, or 25.9% of total imports, with a drop of (12.0%). The countries with the highest share in import was: Serbia (14.3%), Macedonia (5.0%), Albania (4.0%) and B&H (2.1%).

Kosovo exports with other countries of the world reached 3.6m euros, or 13.9%. As more important partners from these export countries, it's worth mentioning: Switzerland (7.6%) and Turkey (4.0%).

While, Kosovo's imports with other countries of the world reached 83.3m euros, or 32.6%. The countries with the highest share in import in this group were: China (9.8%) and Turkey (9.6%).