Italie Balance Commerciale

Italy posted a trade surplus of EUR 6.034 billion in February of 2024, sharply above market expectations of EUR 3.44 billion. The balance was a near three-fold increase from the surplus of EUR 2.095 billion from the corresponding period of the previous year, as prices for key commodities for the Italian economy have retreated since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, limiting turnover in foreign purchases. Imports slumped by 6.1% from the previous year to EUR 47.296 billion, with lower natural gas prices driving their purchasing turnover to slump by 49.2%, while a moderation in crude oil prices lowered imports by 6.4%. Imports also fell for computers and electronic products (-10.4%) and machinery (-5.9%). On the other hand, exports edged higher by 1.7% to EUR 53.33 billion, supported by stronger sales for food, beverages, and tobacco (11.4%), transportation equipment (28.6%), and manufacturing equipment (14.9%).