There are some worrying signs about Israeli exports. The export of goods, excluding diamonds, to the EU was unchanged in November 2005-January 2006, and exports to Asia fell by an annualized 10.2%, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported yesterday. Exports, excluding diamonds rose by an annualized 1.8% in December-January, thanks to a 7.9% rise in exports to the US and a 10% rise to the rest of the world group. Exports to the US rose by an annualized 12.9% in August-October 2005.
The import of goods, excluding diamonds, fuel, ships and planes, from the US fell by an annualized 4.5% in December-January, and imports from the rest of the world group fell by an annualized 10.2%. This was offset by an annualized 6.2% rise in imports from the EU in November-January, and an annualized 22.9% rise in imports from Asia. Imports from Asia rose by 15.8% in August-October 2005.
Imports, excluding diamonds, totaled $3.3 billion in January. 39% of imports were from the EU, 19% from Asia, 13% from the US, and the rest from the rest of the world.
Israel had a $214 million trade surplus, excluding diamonds, with the US in January, but a trade deficit of $502 million with the EU, and a $350 million deficit with Asia.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 20, 2006