9 February (BNS)

According to preliminary information, goods to the tune of 8.75 billion euros were exported from Estonia in 2010, surpassing the earlier highest level of 8.47 billion euros in 2008. Last year goods valuing 9.27 billion euros were imported into Estonia and the foreign trade shortfall was 0.52 billion euros, the lowest annual level so far.

In 2010 export from Estonia grew by 2.27 billion euros of 35%. Import into Estonia grew by 1.99 billion euros or 27%.

In 2010 goods to the tune of 5.99 billion euros were exported from Estonia into countries of the European Union (EU), making up 69% of Estonia's total export. Compared with 2009, export into EU countries grew by 33%. Export to countries outside the community, or so-called third countries, increased 39%.

From European Union countries, goods to the sum total of 7.39 billion euros were imported into Estonia, accounting for 80% of Estonia's total imports. Compared with 2009, import from EU countries grew 26%. Import from third countries into Estonia grew 31%.

In 2010 the foreign trade deficit with European Union countries was 1.4 billion euros; the year before the shortfall was 1.34 billion euros. The surplus of trade with third countries was 0.88 billion euros.

In December 2010 goods to the tune of 927 million euros were exported, 67% more than in December 2009. Goods were imported into Estonia to the sum total of 934 million euros or 44% more. The growth in the December export was also influenced by some major transactions.