In September, the total export of goods increased by 6 % to EUR 7 030,6 million and the total import rose by 6,4 % to EUR 6 578,8 million compared with the corresponding period last year. The foreign trade balance was in surplus in the amount of EUR 451,8 million (by EUR 1,6 million lower than in September last year).

In January-September 2018, the foreign trade balance was in surplus in the amount of EUR 2 196,1 million (by EUR 102,1 million higher than in the corresponding period last year).

The Slovak Republic had the highest active balance with Germany (EUR 3 140,6 million), France (EUR 1 944,9 million), the United Kingdom (EUR 1 930 million), Italy (EUR 1 677,4 million), Austria (EUR 1 648,6 million), Poland (EUR 1 323,5 million), USA (EUR 1 167,3 million),   the Czech Republic (EUR 1 122,5 million), Spain (EUR 830 million), Hungary (EUR 722,2 million) and Romania (EUR 672,2 million).

The largest passive balance was recorded with the Republic of Korea (EUR 3 195,9 million), China (EUR 2 255,4 million), the Russian Federation (EUR 1 782,2 million), Malaysia (EUR 313,2 million), Taiwan (EUR 302,8 million), Japan (EUR 243,3 million), Ukraine (EUR 196,9 million)  and with India (EUR 155,5 million).

Goods in the amount of EUR 58 624,6 million were exported from the Slovak Republic. Compared with corresponding period of 2017, the total export grew by 7,2 %.

In terms of goods, the increase was recorded in export of motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for transport of persons by EUR 2 697,1 million, electrical lighting or signaling equipment by EUR 206,5 million, wires and cables by EUR 101,7 million, parts and accessories of the motor vehicles by EUR 101,1 million.

The highest decrease was recorded in export of monitors and projectors, reception apparatus for television by EUR 304,7 million, bodies for motor vehicles by EUR 237,8 million, parts and accessories suitable for transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television by EUR 136,5 million and  combustion piston engines by EUR 103,5 million.

Relating the most significant trade partners, export increased to Germany by 18,5 %, the Czech Republic by 8,8 %, Poland by 5,4 %, France by 6,6 %, Italy by 11,3 %, Austria by 4,9 %, USA by 8 %, Spain by 4,4 %, Romania by 11,4 % and the Russian Federation by 1,8 %. Export decreased to Hungary by 1,2 %, United Kingdom by 8,4 % and the Netherlands by 7,8 %.

In terms of the main economic groupings, the export to the EU countries rose by 7,8 % (it represented 85,5 % of the total export of the SR) and to the OECD countries by 7,2 % (it represented 88,5 % of the total export of the SR).  

Goods amounted to the value of EUR 56 428,5 million were imported to the Slovak Republic with a year-on-year growth of 7,3 %.

In terms of goods, the increase was registered in import of parts and accessories of the motor vehicles by EUR 1 125,8 million, wires and cables by EUR 384,2 million, compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines by EUR 365,8 million and petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude by EUR 364,7 million.

The significant drop was recorded in import of products of liquid crystals by EUR 318 million and monitors and projectors, television reception apparatus by EUR 286,1 million.

In relation to the most significant trade partners, the import increased from Germany by 13,5 %, the Czech Republic by 4,1 %, the Republic of Korea by 9,3 %, Poland by 9,3 %, the Russian Federation by 18,5 %, Italy by 11,1 %, France by 2,7 % and Austria by 8,1 %. Import decreased from China by 17,5 % and Hungary by 1,4 %.

In terms of the main economic groupings, the import from the EU countries grew by 9,2 % (it represented 67,8 % of the total import) and from the OECD countries by 6,4 % (it represented 66,7 % of the total import of the SR), compared with the corresponding period of 2017.