Panorama of European Union trade : data 1999-2006.
Date: 2008-04-05
Institutions: Eurostat
Subjects: EU statistics, enlargement of the Union, foreign trade, intra-EU trade, trade statistics, trading operation

S t a t i s t i c a l   b o o k s

Panorama of European Union trade
Data 1999-2006

2007 edition

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Introduction_ComExt:Intro 15/02/2008 11:38 Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

‘Globalisation’ and ‘internationalisation of economies’ are terms which are commonly used to
emphasise the interdependence of present day economies and the undeniable and increasing
importance of international economic relations. While each of these terms of course covers a
very wide range of world economic relations, they also include one of the oldest methods of
exchanging things between countries: international trade. Growth in external trade, generally
at a faster rate than world production, illustrates the growing interdependence of the world’s
economies.

Global economic integration creates opportunities for growth and for development. But it also
increases  pressure  on  global  resources  and  on  traditional  industries  and  livelihoods.  The
European Union is committed to ensuring that the European economy is open to the world and
competitive  on  the  world  stage.  It  supports  a  strong  multilateral  trading  system  as  the  most
effective means of managing trade for the benefit of all.

The Panorama of European Union trade (1999-2006) deals solely with the trade in goods, i.e.
agricultural  products,  energy  and  manufactured  products.  It  does  not  cover  the  trade  in
services, which is covered by other Eurostat publications. The aim of this second issue of the
Panorama  is  to  provide  the  citizens  of  the  European  Union  and  economic  decision-makers
with essential information on EU and Euro area external trade, and trade between Member
States. It makes use of annual statistics in an effort to highlight the main features and salient
trends of the European Union’s external trade between 1999 and 2006.

The  statistics  analysed  in  this  publication  are  taken  mainly  from  Comext,  the  Eurostat
database  dedicated  to  the  results  of  the  EU’s  external  trade  and  that  of  Member  States.  In
order to better assess the EU’s position in the world market, additional information was drawn
from Comtrade, the United Nations database. All data are taken from national sources but, as
far  as  EU  Member  States  are  concerned,  the  methodology  applied  is  harmonised  at
Community level. 

This publication has been managed by Eurostat Unit G3 International Trade Statistics - Production.

Project management: Gilberto Gambini

Publication management: Jelle Bosch (SOGETI Luxembourg S.A.)
Authors: Chapters 1, 2 and 3, Dominic Huggins; chapters 4 and 5, Jelle Bosch (SOGETI Luxembourg S.A.)
Statistical compilation: Isabelle Delin (SOGETI Luxembourg S.A.)
Layout: Emmanuelle Berthe (SOGETI Luxembourg S.A.)

For further information:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu (Theme External trade)

Other comments and questions:
estat-etfree@ec.europa.eu



Introduction_ComExt:Intro 15/02/2008 11:38 Page 2

Introduction_ComExt:Intro 15/02/2008 11:38 Page 3

Table of  contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Table of contents

1. The European Union in World Trade

1.1  Evolution of world trade in goods 1999-2006
1.2  The European Union’s role in international product markets
1.3  From Eu-15 to EU-27: structural changes in EU trade

2. Extra-EU-27 trade flows

2.1  EU trading partners: exports, imports and trade balance
2.2  EU exports: what we sell and to which markets
2.3  EU imports: what we buy and from which suppliers
2.4  Extra-EU trade by single Member State

3. Intra-EU trade

3.1  Evolution of trade from EU-15 to EU-27
3.2  Intra-EU-27 in total trade
3.3  Main traders: flows and balances
3.4  Intra-EU-27 trade by main partner and product

4. Euro area trade

4.1  Euro area trading partners
4.2  Extra-EA-13 trade by product
4.3  Extra-EA-13 trade by single Member State

5. A step forward

5.1  EU-27 and the Candidate Countries
5.2  Euro area from 12 to 15 countries

Annexes

1

2
6
10

13

14
16
21
26

35

36
40
44
46

49

50
52
53

55

56
59

61

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Page 1

Chapter 1

The European Union in
world trade

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Page 2

1. The European Union in World Trade

1. THE EUROPEAN UNION IN WORLD TRADE

1.1 Evolution of  world trade in goods 1999-2006

Extra-EU-27  holds  a 
international trade

leading 

role 

in

At  the  height  of  the  high-technology  boom,  world  trade  –
the total volume of import and export flows – grew by 35%
from 1999 to 2000 and reached more than EUR 10 trillion
in 2000. World trade contracted to EUR 9.3 trillion by 2003
and returned to growth thereafter, expanding by 11% from
2003  to  2004  and  by  16%  from  2004  to  2005.  The
European  Union’s  (EU-27)  share  in  world  trade  ranged

between 18.4% in 2000 and 19.4% in 2003. From 1999 to
2006 – the period covered by this publication – this share
described  a  cyclical  yet  slightly  declining  pattern.  With  a
share  of  18.5%,  the  EU-27  was  the  largest  contributor  to
world  trade  in  2005,  having  replaced  the  USA  in  first
position  in  2003.  It  must  be  noted  that  these  figures  are
influenced by the rise in the ECU/EUR exchange rate with
respect to the USD that has taken place since 2001. EU-27
trade figures presented in this chapter do not include intra-
EU-27 trade, the size of which was close to double that of
extra-EU-27 trade in 20061 .

Fig. 1.1: World trade in goods (sum of  Exports and Imports), 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

000 21
00021

000 01
00001

000 8
0008

000 6

0006
000 4

0004
000 2

0
0002

DLROW
gnidulcxe(
)72-UE-artnI
72UE

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

0

9991

0002
3002
)72-UE-artnI gnidulcxe( DLROW

2002

1002

4002

5002

72-UE

6002

TET00018
Note: World trade corresponds to Extra-EU-27 trade and trade of non-EU countries with partner world

The beginning of the millenium sees strong
growth

Extra-EU-27 trade grew at an average annual rate of 7.8%
from 1999 to 2005 compared to average world trade growth
of  8.4%  while,  in  contrast,  China’s  trade  expanded  at
22.5%  annually.  The  1999  to  2006  period  was  one  of
particularly strong growth in international trade, participants
gaining from a large number of bilateral and regional trade
agreements  encouraged  by  the  institution  of  the  World
Trade  Organisation  in  1995.  This  period  was  also

characterised  by  continuing  technical  improvements  that
have  greatly 
facilitated  communications  and  data
management  as  well  as  forming  the  bases  of  thriving
markets  in  new  products.  Stabilising  at  around  3%  in  the
late  1980s,  real  interest  rates2 gradually  fell  during  the
period  under  analysis.  High  flows  of  foreign  direct
investment  (FDI)  to  emerging  market  and  developing
market countries have contributed to rapid industrialisation,
boosting  the  demand  for  imports.  Economies  such  as
China’s and India’s have continued to enjoy strong growth,
their  demand  for  import  goods  sometimes  exerting
pressure on world markets. 

1 Please see Chapter 3 for details of intra-EU-27 trade.
2 US inflation-adjusted 10-year yield. See: UNCTAD World Economic Situation and Prospects 2007, p.29

2

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1. The European Union in World Trade

Enlargement clearly reinforces the European
Union

These were particularly important years of transition for the
European  Union  which,  in  two  waves  of  enlargements
(2004  and  2007)  grew  by  12  Member  States.  This  has
inscribed  new  synergies  on  the  topology  of  European
trade,  affecting 
trade
specialisation  patterns.  Today  forming  the  world’s  largest
internal  market,  rich  in  the  diversity  of  its  constituent
economies, the European Union appears to have become
more  resilient  in  the  face  of  world  swings  in  demand. 

individual  Member  States’ 

Fig.  1.1  shows  an  increasing  contraction  in  world  trade
between  2000  and  2003  and,  while  the  other  developed
nations’  –  USA,  Japan  and  Canada  –  trade  reduced  at
annual rates of around 6.7%, EU-27 trade fell annually by
only  0.7%.  In  the  twelve  new  Member  States  (2004  and
2007  enlargements),  trade  in  fact  grew  at  an  average
annual 8.1% between 2000 and 2003. From 2003 to 2005,
EU-27  trade  growth  was  lifted  by  new-Member-State
annual average trade growth of 13.7% – at a par with World
trade growth – compared to 11.1% in the EU-15. Taking full
benefit  of  buoyant  world  conditions,  the  new  Member
States displayed trade growth of 25.9% between 2005 and
2006.

Fig.1.2: World: main exporters, 2005 (%)

Fig.1.3: World: main importers, 2005 (%)

EU-27
18.0

Others
46.0

Japan
8.2

Canada
4.9

USA 12.4

China*
10.5

EU-27
19.0

Others
39.1

USA 22.5

Canada
4.1

Japan
6.7

China*
8.6

* excluding Hong Kong
TET00018

* excluding Hong Kong

The  main  world  trading  partners’  shares  in  exports  and
imports are depicted for 2005. The EU-27 was the world’s
main  exporter  in  2005,  driven  by  exports  from  Germany,

the world’s main exporting country3. The USA had a greater
share  in  world  imports  than  did  the  EU-27  in  2005  while
China was third, both in terms of exports and imports.

3 See: “Exportweltmeister Deutschland dank des hohen Euro-Kurses” Statistisches Bundesamt – Wirtschaft und Statistik 4/2007





3

                                                                  
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1. The European Union in World Trade

Fig. 1.4: Main world traders: exports, imports and trade balance, 2006 (EUR Bn)

0051

0521

0001

057

005

052

0

052-

005-

057-

72-UE

ASU

)1( anihC

napaJ

adanaC

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB

(1) excluding Hong Kong
TET00002

Contracting at the beginning of the period, the EU-27 deficit
in the trade of goods grew again between 2002 and 2006,
reaching  a  value  corresponding  to  7.7%  of  total  extra-
EU-27  trade  in  2006.  The  USA’s  goods  deficit,  in
comparison,  was  equivalent  to  29.8%  of  its  total  trade  in
2006.  The  EU-27’s  imports  were  strongly  boosted  by  a
substantial rise in commodity prices. For example, growing
at an annual average 15%, the barrel price of Brent crude

oil, tripled from USD 20.2 in January 1999 to USD 62.2 in
December 20064. Currency gains in the EU-27’s terms of
trade due to an average yearly 2.3% depreciation of the US
Dollar with respect to the Euro during this period were, for
example, counterbalanced by 2.6% annual import volume
growth  in  Petroleum,  petroleum  products  and  related
materials (SITC 3.33).

4 Source: INSEE

4

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1. The European Union in World Trade

Fig. 1.5: Main world traders: imports, exports and balance, by SITC product group, 2006 (EUR Bn) 

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB

EU-27

selcihev & yrenihcaM

selcitra derutcafunam rehtO

slacimehC

ygrenE

slairetam edurC

stcudorp dooF

USA

selcihev & yrenihcaM

derutcafunam rehtO
selcitra

slacimehC

ygrenE

slairetam edurC

stcudorp dooF

003-

001-

001

003

005

003-

002-

001-

0

001

002

003

004

005

006

Canada

selcihev & yrenihcaM

selcitra derutcafunam rehtO

slacimehC

ygrenE

slairetam edurC

stcudorp dooF

China

selcihev & yrenihcaM

derutcafunam rehtO
selcitra

slacimehC

ygrenE

slairetam edurC

stcudorp dooF

003-

002-

001-

0

001

002

003

004

005

003-

002-

001-

0

001

002

003

004

005

Japan

selcihev & yrenihcaM

selcitra derutcafunam rehtO

slacimehC

ygrenE

slairetam edurC

stcudorp dooF

TET00005 to TET00010

003-

002-

001-

0

001

002

003

004

005

The statistical product classification applied throughout this
publication  is  SITC  Rev.3.  Data  are  detailed  to  SITC-1
(Section)  level  and,  in  particular  cases,  to  levels  2
(Division)  and  3  (Group).  In  2006,  the  EU-27’s  exports,
imports  and  balances  as  well  as  those  of  the  main  world
traders  are  further  detailed  here  by  SITC-1  Section  (or
combined Sections).

‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  (SITC  7),  ‘Other  manufactured
articles’ (SITC 6+8) as well as ‘Chemicals’ (SITC 5) made
up  the  EU-27’s  main  exports  in  2006,  while  ‘Machinery  &
vehicles’,  ‘Other  manufactured  articles’  and  ‘Energy
products’ (SITC 3) were the main imports. The EU-27 had

a  EUR  102  Bn  surplus  in  the  trade  of  ‘Machinery  &
vehicles’, 
this  sector  displaying  a  clear  revealed
comparative  advantage  in  international  trade.  The  EU-27
surplus in the trade of ‘Chemicals’ amounted to EUR 75 Bn.
In contrast, the EU-27 was a net importer of fossil fuels and
it  had  a  EUR  282  Bn  deficit  in  the  trade  of  ‘Energy
products’, reflecting the EU-27’s comparative disadvantage
in this sector in 2006.

The USA had a deficit in the trade of goods amounting to
EUR 702 Bn in 2006, which was in large part made up by
deficits  in  ‘Energy  products’  (EUR  247  Bn),  ‘Other
manufactured  articles’  (EUR  220  Bn)  and  ‘Machinery  &
vehicles’ (EUR 127 Bn).
Canada’s  trade  displayed  a  surplus  in  ‘Energy  products’
(EUR 36 Bn), but also in ‘Crude materials’ (SITC 2+4) and
‘Food  products’  (SITC  0+1).  These  outweighed  deficits  in
other  product  categories,  of  which  EUR  27  Bn  in
‘Machinery and vehicles’, resulting in an overall surplus of
EUR 30 Bn.
China had trade surpluses in ‘Other manufactured articles’
(EUR 203 Bn) as well as in ‘Machinery and vehicles’, and
‘Food  products’,  which  contributed  to  a  total  surplus  of 
EUR  141  Bn.  China  displayed  trade  deficits  in  ‘Crude
materials’, ‘Energy’ and ‘Chemical products’.

Japan’s  main  surplus  was  in  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’ 
(EUR  215  Bn),  while  its  main  deficit  was  in  ‘Energy
products’ (EUR 124 Bn ).

5

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1. The European Union in World Trade

1.2 The European Union’s role in international product markets

Tab.1.6: Main world exporters: shares in SITC product groups, 2005 (EUR Bn)

dooF
stcudorp

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

yrenihcaM
selcihev &

stcudorP
ton
deifissialc
erehwesle

LATOT

72-UE
ASU
anihC
napaJ
adanaC
gnoK gnoH
aeroK htuoS
aissuR
eropagniS
ocixeM

25
24
91
2
71
2
2
3
3
9

42
53
6
6
22
2
2
9
1
2

64
12
41
4
85
1
31
59
32
62

561
69
92
24
12
11
22
8
12
6

662
551
062
69
06
49
94
13
12
63

174
943
382
603
59
321
931
8
801
29

03
92
1
22
61
2
0
14
8
1

3501
727
216
874
982
532
922
491
581
271

TET00005 to TET00010

The EU-27 leading trader in many sectors

The  EU-27’s  leading  position  as  a  worldwide  trader  is
further  emphasised  when  one  looks  at  its  position  in  the
trade of goods by SITC-1 product category, both among the
world’s ten main exporters and ten main importers. EU-27
total exports were the highest, amounting to EUR 1 053 Bn
in 2005. The EU-27 was the main exporter in four out of six
SITC-1  product  sections:  ‘Food  products’,  ‘Chemicals’,

‘Other  manufactured  articles’  and  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’,
while the USA was the main exporter of ‘Crude materials’
and  Russia  was  the  main  exporter  of  ‘Energy  products’.
With  a  total  of  EUR  1  180  Bn  the  EU-27  was  the  world’s
second  main  importer  of  goods  after  the  USA,  and  it  had
the  highest  imports  of  ‘Food  products’  and  ‘Energy
products’.  The  USA  were  the  world’s  main  importer  of
‘Chemicals’,  ‘Other  manufactured  articles’  and  ‘Machinery
&  vehicles’,  while  China  was  the  main  importer  of  ‘Crude
materials’.

Tab. 1.7: Main world importers: shares in SITC product groups, 2005 (EUR Bn)

dooF
stcudorp

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

yrenihcaM
selcihev &

stcudorP
ton
deifissialc
erehwesle

LATOT

ASU
72-UE
anihC
napaJ
adanaC
gnoK gnoH
aeroK htuoS
ocixeM
eropagniS
.s.e.n ,aisA rehtO

65
36
8
04
41
7
8
9
4
5

72
35
95
72
7
2
31
6
1
6

042
372
15
701
32
6
45
01
92
32

601
69
26
03
62
51
02
02
01
81

283
092
411
69
36
48
84
64
52
23

335
973
332
601
511
621
66
68
09
06

84
62
2
7
6
1
1
2
2
2

2931
0811
035
514
352
142
012
871
161
641

TET00005 to TET00010

Machinery  &  vehicles  is  the  main  product
section traded worldwide

‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  is  a  large  SITC-1  product  section
that  includes  Machinery  and  equipment  for  Power-
generating,  for  Specialised  industries,  Metalworking,
General 
industry,  Offices  and  Data-processing,
Telecommunications,  Sound-recording  and  reproducing,

Electrical machinery apparatus and appliances, as well as
Road vehicles and Other transport equipment. The volume
of  trade  in  this  product  group  was  the  largest  both  in  the
exports  and  in  the  imports  of  all  of  the  world’s  top  ten
exporting  and  top  ten  importing  countries,  except  for
Russia, whose main exported product section was ‘Energy’
(EUR  95  Bn),  and  Japan,  the  value  of  whose  ‘Energy’
product  imports  (EUR  107  Bn)  slightly  exceeded  those  of
its ‘Machinery & vehicles’ imports (EUR 106 Bn).

6

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1. The European Union in World Trade

Fig. 1.8.1: Main products (SITC-2) exported (left) and imported (right) worldwide, share by main declaring country, 2005 (%) 

Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (SITC 33)

52

02

51

01

5

0

52

02

51

01

5

0

iduaS
aibarA

aissuR

72-UE

yawroN

narI

aleuzeneV

adanaC

ocixeM

natshkazaKeropagniS

72-UE

ASU

napaJ

anihC

htuoS
aeroK

aidnI

eropagniS

adanaC

,aisA rehtO
.s.e.n

dnaliahT

Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s., and electrical parts thereof (SITC 77)

02

81

61

41

21

01

8

6

4

2

0

ASU

72-UE

napaJ

anihC

,aisA rehtOgnoK gnoHeropagniS

.s.e.n

htuoS
aeroK

aisyalaM

ocixeM

Road vehicles (SITC 78) 

04

53

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

02

81

61

41

21

01

8

6

4

2

0

04

53

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

anihC

ASU

72-UE

eropagniSgnoK gnoH

napaJ

htuoS
aeroK

,aisA rehtO
.s.e.n

aisyalaM

ocixeM

72-UE

napaJ

ASU

adanaC

htuoS
aeroK

ocixeM

anihC

lizarB

yekruT

dnaliahT

ASU

72-UE

adanaC

ocixeM

ailartsuA

napaJ

anihC

aissuR

yekruT

iduaS
aibarA

Five of the six most traded product divisions
were Machinery & vehicles
The  six  worldwide  most  traded  SITC-2  product  divisions
are  detailed  by  the  ten  main  exporters  and  the  ten  main
importers active in their trade. The trade balances of the six
main trading countries in these product divisions are shown
hereafter. It is interesting to note that five product divisions,
all  except  for  ‘Petroleum,  petroleum  products  and  related
materials’,  belonged  to  SITC-1  section  ‘Machinery  &
vehicles’, the most traded product section worldwide.

Petroleum,  petroleum  products  and  related
materials: EU-27 biggest importer
Owning  refining  capacity  that  has  found  high  demand, 
EU-27  exporters  benefited  from  conditions  in  this  market,
making the EU-27 third main exporter of ‘Petroleum and its
products’ in 2005. Exports of EUR 42 Bn in 2005 made up

92% of EU-27 exports of ‘Energy products’. Importing for a
value of EUR 208 Bn of ‘Petroleum and its products’ (76%
of  ‘Energy  product’  imports),  the  EU-27  was,  by  a  narrow
margin,  the  main  importer  worldwide  before  the  USA 
(EUR 205 Bn).

apparatus 

and
Electrical  machinery, 
appliances: EU-27 second exporter and third
importer
The  EU-27  was  the  second  main  exporter  of  ‘Electrical
machinery,  apparatus  and  appliances’  worldwide  in  2005
after the USA and before Japan. It ranked third in terms of
imports  after  China  and  the  USA.  Total  EU-27  exports  in
this  product  division  amounted  to  EUR  70.4  Bn  (15%  of
EU-27  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  exports)  while  imports
totalled  EUR  72.7  Bn  (19%  of  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’
imports).



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1. The European Union in World Trade

Road  vehicles:  EU-27 
worldwide

first  exporter

The  EU-27  was  the  first  main  exporter  of  ‘Road  vehicles’
worldwide  with  exports  of  EUR  101.5  Bn  in  2005. This  is
equivalent  to  21.5%  of  EU-27  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’

exports.  These  exports  were  close  in  size  to  those  of
Japan,  which  amounted 
to  EUR  99.2  Bn.  The 
EU-27  was  the  second  main  importer  of  ‘Road  vehicles’
with  EUR  47.4  Bn  (12.5%  of  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’
imports),  behind  the  USA  whose  imports  totalled  EUR
160.3 Bn.

Fig.1.8.2: Main products (SITC-2) exported (left) and imported (right) worldwide, share by main declaring country, 2005 (%) 

Office machines and automatic data-processing machines (SITC 75)

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

anihC

ASU

gnoK gnoH

72-UE

eropagniS

napaJ

aisyalaM

htuoS
aeroK

,aisA rehtO
.s.e.n

ocixeM

ASU

72-UE

anihC

gnoK gnoH

napaJ

eropagniS

adanaC

ocixeM

aisyalaM

htuoS
aeroK

Telecommunications and sound-recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (SITC 76)

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

anihC

72-UE

gnoK gnoH

htuoS
aeroK

napaJ

ASU

ocixeM

,aisA rehtOaisyalaMeropagniS

ASU

72-UE

gnoK gnoH

anihC

napaJ

ocixeM

eropagniS

adanaC

.s.e.n

htuoS
aeroK

ailartsuA

General industrial machinery and equipment (SITC 74) 

53

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

53

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

72-UE

ASU

napaJ

anihC

adanaC

ocixeM

htuoS
aeroK

,aisA rehtOeropagniSdnalreztiwS

ASU

72-UE

anihC

adanaC

ocixeM

napaJ

.s.e.n

htuoS
aeroK

,aisA rehtO
.s.e.n

aissuR

ailartsuA

Office  machines  and  automatic  data-
processing machines: EU-27 fourth exporter
and second importer
In fourth position behind the clear export leader China, the
EU-27 exported goods with a total value of EUR 28.7 Bn in
this  product  division  in  2005,  contributing  6%  to  its  total
exports of ‘Machinery & vehicles’. The EU-27 came second
after  the  USA  by  importing  EUR  71  Bn  worth  of  these
goods, which is 19% of total EU-27 ‘Machinery & vehicles’
imports.

and 

sound-recording 

Telecommunications,  sound-recording  and
reproducing: EU-27 imports exceed exports
the  second  main  exporter  of
The  EU-27  was 
‘Telecommunications 
and
reproducing apparatus and equipment’ after China in 2005,
with total exports amounting to EUR 45.2 Bn, that is 10% of
EU-27 ‘Machinery & vehicles’ exports, compared to goods
valued  EUR  76.2  Bn  exported  by  China.  The  EU-27  was
also second main importer of this division’s products after
the  USA.  EU-27  imports  of  ‘Telecommunications,  sound-
recording and reproducing’ products rose to EUR 65.9 Bn,
representing 17% of total ‘Machinery & vehicles’ imports.

8

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1. The European Union in World Trade

General 
equipment: EU-27 export leader

industrial  machinery 

and

The  EU-27  was  the  first  main  exporter  in  this  product

division worldwide and the second main importer. In 2005,
exports  of  ‘General  industrial  machinery  and  equipment’
amounted  to  EUR  65.2  Bn  and  contributed  14%  to  the 
EU-27 total ‘Machinery & vehicle’ exports, while imports of
EUR 28.5 Bn made up 7.5% of ‘Machinery & vehicles’ total.

Fig.1.9: Trade balance in main SITC-2 products, by main declaring country, 2005 (EUR Bn)

Petroleum,  petroleum  products  and  related
materials (SITC 33) 

Office  machines  and  automatic  data-
processing machines (SITC 75) 

051

001

05

0

05-

001-

051-

002-

052-

08

06

04

02

0

02-

04-

06-

72-UE

ASU

iduaS
aibarA

aissuR

napaJ

anihC

ASU

anihC

72-UE

gnoH
gnoK

napaJ

eropagniS

Electrical  machinery, 
and
appliances,  n.e.s.,  and  electrical  parts
thereof (SITC 77) 

apparatus 

Telecommunications  and  sound-recording
and  reproducing  apparatus  and  equipment
(SITC 76)

04

03

02

01

0

01-

02-

03-

04-

05-

06-

06

04

02

0

02-

04-

06-

08-

anihC

ASU

72-UE

gnoH
gnoK

napaJ

eropagniS

72-UE

ASU

anihC

gnoH
gnoK

napaJ

htuoS
aeroK

Road vehicles (SITC 78) 

General industrial machinery and equipment
(SITC 74) 

001

05

0

05-

001-

051-

ASU

72-UE

napaJ

adanaC

ocixeM

htuoS
aeroK

04

03

02

01

0

01-

02-

72-UE

ASU

anihC

napaJ

adanaC

ocixeM

The EU-27 reveals comparative advantage in
Road  vehicles  and  Industrial  machinery  &
equipment  
The 2005 flows outlined on the two previous pages resulted
in the balances depicted. As revealed by large surpluses,
the EU-27 had a comparative advantage in the trade of a
number  of  SITC-2  Divisions. The  EU-27  was  the  second-
largest net importer of ‘Petroleum, petroleum products and

related  materials’  with  a  EUR  166.1  Bn  deficit  in  2005,
which  largely  contributed  to  a  EUR  226.7  Bn  deficit  in
‘Energy  products’.  While  EU-27  trade  in  ‘Electrical
machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s. and electrical
parts thereof’ stood close to balance, the EU-27’s surplus
in the trade of ‘Road vehicles’ amounted to EUR 54.0 Bn,
twice  that  recorded  by  South  Korea  and  in  second  place
worldwide after Japan (EUR 88.2 Bn). 



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1. The European Union in World Trade

The deficit in the trade of ‘Office machines and automatic
data-processing  machines’  (EUR  42.3  Bn)  was  close  in
size to that of the USA, the deficit in ‘Telecommunications
& sound-recording & reproducing apparatus & equipment’

amounted  to  EUR  20.7  Bn.  The  EU-27  held  a  leading
position  in  the  trade  of  ‘General  industrial  machinery  and
equipment’,  where  it  recorded  the  highest  surplus
worldwide with EUR 36.8 Bn. 

1.3 From EU-15 to EU-27: structural changes in EU trade

Tab. 1.10: Extra-EU exports, imports and trade balances – 2002, 2004 & 2006 (EUR Bn)

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB

2002

4002

6002

egarevA
launna
 etar htworg
6002-2002

2002

4002

6002

egarevA
launna
 etar htworg
6002-2002

2002

4002

6002

799

8601

0131

%0.7

989

4901

0341

%7.9

8

62-

021-

409

298

969

1811

%9.6

349

2301

4531

%5.9

359

7511

%7.6

739

8201

0531

%6.9

93-

54-

36-

371-

57-

391-

51-UE

52-UE

72-UE

One aggregate measures enlargement
In two historic enlargements – May 2004 and January 2007
– the European Union grew from being one made up of 15
Member  States  to  one  consisting  of  27. As  they  relate  to
trade  between  partners 
in  a  union  with  different
dimensions, care must be taken in relating the successive
entities’  trade  statistics  –  EU-15,  EU-25  and  EU-27  –
arithmetically.  In  order  to  compare  developments  and,  for
example, to measure the effects of enlargement, individual

Member  States’  exports  and  imports  –  dispatches  and
arrivals within the European Union – are therefore related
to the EU-27 aggregate throughout this publication. This is
calculated  for  all  27  present  Member  States,  including  for
new  Member  States  for  the  years  previous  to  their
accession 
the  European  Union.  Thus,  while
differentiating  between  older  and  newer  members,  their
developments in their trade between 1999 and 2006 can be
evaluated and compared.

to 

Tab. 1.11: Extra-EU exports, imports and trade balances, by SITC product group – 2002, 2004 & 2006 (EUR Bn)

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB

2002

4002

6002

ni erahs tcudorP
6002 ,latot

2002

4002

6002

ni erahs tcudorP
6002 ,latot

2002

4002

6002

51-UE

selciheV & yrenihcaM
selcitra derutcafunam rehtO
ygrenE
slacimehC
stcudorp dooF
slairetam edurC

selciheV & yrenihcaM

selcitra derutcafunam rehtO

52-UE

ygrenE

slacimehC

stcudorp dooF

slairetam edurC

selciheV & yrenihcaM

selcitra derutcafunam rehtO

72-UE

ygrenE

slacimehC

stcudorp dooF

slairetam edurC

354
862
72
551
25
02

604

142

62

341

15

81

204

532

62

141

05

81

784
282
33
761
25
22

934

352

23

451

94

02

034

642

33

351

94

12

975
043
65
402
46
13

715

303

55

781

95

82

405

492

75

481

85

92

%2.44
%0.62
%3.4
%6.51
%9.4
%3.2

%8.34

%6.52

%6.4

%9.51

%0.5

%4.2

%5.34

%4.52

%9.4

%9.51

%0.5

%5.2

753
872
931
18
95
64

923

252

841

18

85

44

923

442

941

18

85

54

593
892
271
98
16
94

553

172

181

88

85

84

553

262

481

98

95

94

064
183
313
211
27
46

304

053

433

801

76

26

204

143

933

901

86

36

%2.23
%7.62
%9.12
%8.7
%1.5
%5.4

%8.92

%9.52

%7.42

%0.8

%0.5

%6.4

%8.92

%3.52

%1.52

%1.8

%0.5

%7.4

59
9-
211-
37
6-
62-

77

21-

29
51-
931-
87
9-
72-

38

81-

911
14-
652-
39
8-
33-

411

74-

221-

941-

972-

26

8-

62-

27

01-

66

9-

82-

57

61-

97

8-

43-

201

84-

321-

151-

282-

06

8-

62-

46

01-

72-

57

01-

43-

10



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Chapter1_ComExt:chapter2 15/02/2008

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1. The European Union in World Trade

EU-27  export  and 
compared to EU-15 in 2006

import  distribution

The  European  Union’s  trade  grew  strongly  between  2002
and 2006, both with the upswing in world trade taking place
after  2003  and  with  the  growing  participation  of  the  new
Member  States  on  the  international  stage,  some  of  which
simultaneously  witnessed 
internal  economic
development.  The  exports  and  imports  of  the  three
consecutive European Union aggregates are shown in the
first table, and they are detailed by SITC-1 product section
in the second table. For each European Union aggregate,

rapid 

from 2002 to 2006, exports and imports rose in all SITC-1
sections. The make-up of extra-EU-27 exports in 2006 was
close  to  that  of  extra-EU-15  exports,  although  somewhat
smaller  shares  of  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  and  ‘Other
manufactured articles’ were exported, while slightly higher
shares of ‘Energy’, ‘Chemicals’ and ‘Food products’ as well
as ‘Crude materials’ were exported. In 2006, compared to
the  group  originally  making  up  the  EU-15,  the  EU-27
imported  a  higher  proportion  of  ‘Energy  products’  (25.1%
compared  to  21.9%),  while  lower  shares  of  total  imports
were  made  up  of  ‘Machinery  &  Vehicles’  and  ‘Other
manufactured articles’.

Fig. 1.12: From EU-15 to EU-27: exports to main extra-EU partners – 2002, 2004 & 2006 (EUR Bn)

0041

0021

0001

008

006

004

002

0

srehtO

yawroN

napaJ

yekruT

anihC

aissuR

dnalreztiwS

40022002
51-UE

6002

40022002
52-UE

6002

40022002
72-UE

6002

ASU

Former  extra-EU  trade  becomes  intra-EU
with enlargement

Although  its  international  trade  in  goods  grew  between
2002  and  2006,  the  European  Union  has  actually  lost
weight  in  world  trade,  given  that  the  growing  reciprocal
exchanges  of  goods  between  the  older  EU-15  and  those
Member  States  that  joined  during  the  course  of  the  2004
and  2007  enlargements  have  been  ‘internalised’.  What
used  to  be  extra-European  Union  trade  has  now  become
part  of  intra-European  Union  trade.  Both  components  of
European  Union  trade  are  analysed  individually  in  the

following chapters. The accession of new Member States,
a  large  number  of  which  belong  to  central  Europe,  has
opened  the  door  to  new  trading  partnerships  for  the
European Union. In the case of EU-27 exports to Russia,
for  example,  these  went  from  making  up  3.9%  of  total 
EU-27 exports in 2002 to 6.3% in 2006. Proportionally, the
exports of all three entities, EU-15, EU-25 and EU-27 to all
trading  partners  including  Others  grew,  except  exports  to
the  USA,  which  went  from  making  up  27.8%  of  EU-27
exports  in  2002  to  23.2%  in  2006.  This  drop  in  share  is
linked  to  lower  exported  volumes  but  also  to  lower
revenues in euro at constant US dollar prices.



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Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 13

Chapter 2

Extra-EU-27 trade flows

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 14

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

2. EXTRA-EU-27 TRADE FLOWS

2.1 EU trading partners: exports, imports and trade balance

Goods deficit widens to EUR 193 Bn

Between 1999 and 2006, EU-27 exports grew at a rate of
7.8 % annually while imports grew at 8.9 %. At end of the
1990s,  the  EU-27’s  trade  in  goods  peaked  in  2000  and,
from  1999  to  2000,  the  goods  deficit  grew  rapidly  from 
EUR 60 Bn to more than EUR 143 Bn. Exports thereafter
stabilised while imports fell moderately until 2003 such that,

in 2001 and 2002, the EU-27’s goods deficit was reduced
again,  reaching  EUR  45  Bn  in  2002.  Driven  by  the
worldwide  economic  upswing,  both  exports  and  imports
rose  again  strongly  between  2003  and  2006,  imports
growing  during  that  period  at  an  annual  average  rate  of
13% compared to 10% in the case of exports. The goods
deficit grew again, first more slowly, reaching EUR 75 Bn in
2004, then more rapidly, to reach EUR 193 Bn in 2006.

Tab. 2.1: Extra-EU-27 exports, imports and trade balances, by main partner, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB EDART

9991

3002

5002

6002

9991

3002

5002

6002

 ni erahS
 artxE latot
72-UE
stropxe
6002
(%)
0.001
2.32
5.5
3.6
5.7
9.3
3.3
3.4
0.2
1.2
3.2
5.1
5.1
1.1
7.1
7.1
0.23

386
781
02
71
46
63
42
22
21
11
71
41
01
21
31
01
612

968
722
14
73
17
14
82
13
61
51
22
21
41
11
41
41
572

72-UE artxE
ASU
anihC
aissuR
dnalreztiwS
napaJ
yawroN
yekruT
aeroK htuoS
aidnI
adanaC
lizarB
aibarA iduaS
nawiaT
eropagniS
acirfA htuoS
srehtO
TET00040
ASEM  and  NAFTA  principal  trading  zones
with EFTA

7511
962
46
27
78
54
83
05
32
42
72
81
81
31
02
02
073

3501
352
25
75
38
44
43
54
02
12
42
61
61
31
71
81
143

347
661
35
63
55
57
03
61
12
01
41
41
8
12
41
11
991

The EU-27 had a deficit with ASEM of above EUR 200 Bn
in  2006.  Together  with  growing  deficits  vis-à-vis  the  CIS

 ni erahS
 artxE latot
72-UE
stropmi
6002
(%)
0.001
2.31
4.41
4.01
3.5
7.5
9.5
1.3
9.2
7.1
5.1
0.2
7.1
0.2
4.1
4.1
5.72

9991

3002

5002

6002

06-
12
33-
91-
9
04-
7-
6
9-
0
3
0
2
9-
1-
1-
81

66-
96
56-
33-
21
13-
32-
4
01-
1
6
7-
1
21-
1-
1-
52

721-
98
901-
65-
61
03-
33-
9
41-
2
7
8-
7-
11-
1-
1
91

391-
19
131-
86-
51
33-
14-
8
61-
2
7
9-
6-
31-
1
1
1-

539
851
601
17
95
27
15
72
62
41
61
91
31
32
51
51
052

0811
461
061
311
76
47
76
63
43
91
71
42
32
42
81
71
223

0531
871
491
141
27
77
97
24
93
32
02
72
42
72
91
81
173

and OPEC, which have played a growing role as suppliers
of natural resources, and EFTA, these were to some extent
counterbalanced  by  a  growing  surplus  with  respect  to
NAFTA,  reaching  EUR  106.2  Bn  in  2006  compared  to 
EUR 29.6 Bn in 1999, together with a growing surplus with
Other countries.

Fig. 2.2: Extra-EU-27 exports and imports by economic zone1, 2006 (EUR Bn)

stropxE

stropmI

004

003

002

001

0

1 For the list of geographic and economic zones, please see Annex.

MESA

ATFAN

ATFE

SIC

CEPO

ADEM

PCA

CRAAS

RUSOCREM

srehtO

14





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 15

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Main economic trading zones

ACP = African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
ASEM = Asian Europe Meeting 
CIS = Commonwealth of Independent States
EFTA = European Free Trade Association 

MEDA =  Mediterranean  countries  in  the  Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership
MERCOSUR = South American Common Market
NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement
OPEC = Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries 
SAARC = South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

The countries belonging to these economic zones are listed in the Annex at the end of this publication.

Fig. 2.3: Extra-EU-27 exports and imports by geographic zone1, 2006 (EUR Bn)

E

xports

Imports

005

004

003

002

001

0

naisA rehtO
seirtnuoc

UE-noN
eporuE

htroN
aciremA

& raeN
tsaE elddiM

acirfA htroN

rehtO
nacirfA
seirtnuoc

htuoS
aciremA

lartneC
& aciremA
naebbiraC

& ainaecO
raloP
snoiger

toN
deificeps

1 For the list of geographic and economic zones, please see  Annex.

USA and China major EU-27 partners

Taking goods and services together, the EU and the USA
account  for  the  largest  bilateral  trade  relationship  in  the
world.  The  diversification  of  EU-27  import  markets  has
however  contributed  to  the  relative  weight  of  NAFTA  in 
EU-27 total goods imports falling from 25% in 1999 to 15%
in 2006. The weight of the trading partner zone in exports
fell less markedly, EU-27 exports to NAFTA making up 27%
of EU-27 total in 2006 compared to 31% in 1999. While the
USA remained the EU-27's main trading partner in terms of
total  trade,  for  the  first  time  in  2006,  China  became  the 
EU-27’s  main  provider  of  goods  imports.  From  1999  to
2006, buoyant growth made for linear rise in EU-27 exports
to China. High imports of mainly manufactured goods from
China  have  however  resulted  in  a  growing  trade  deficit.
China has become a growing destination of EU-27 exports
to ASEM as it made up over a third of the exports to that
economic  zone  in  2006  compared  to  a  fifth  in  1999.
Similarly, over one half of EU-27 imports from ASEM came
from China in 2006, compared to one quarter in 1999. 

Exports  to  Russia  boost  Other  Europe  as
second main destination

Spurred  by  growing  demand  from  Russia,  and  strong 
EU-27  exports  of  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  there,  Non-EU
Europe  replaced  North  America  as  the  first  continental
entity  for  exports  in  2006.  The  Other  Asian  countries

remained  the  third  main  destination  of  EU-27  exports
during  all  of  the  1999-to-2006  period.  The  Other  Asian
countries  were  the  main  geographical  source  of  EU-27
imports  throughout  while,  in  2002,  Non-EU  Europe
replaced  North  America  as  the  second  main  supplier  of 
EU-27 imports.

Trade in Energy products and minerals gain
in importance

Between 1999 and 2006, strong demand for raw materials
coupled  with  rising  world  prices  contributed  to  the  EU-27
goods deficits growing by between 25% and 40% annually
with  suppliers  such  as Algeria,  Libya  and  Kazakhstan  as
well  as  Chile.  Over  the  entire  period,  EU-27  exports  to
OPEC countries grew by 11% annually while imports rose
by 15%. Imports from OPEC countries however grew at an
average 23% between 2004 and 2006 and, during that time
period, imports from the Near and Middle East and North
Africa also grew strongly, displaying annual average rates
of  22%  and  20%  respectively.  Imports  from  the  South
American continent grew at 17% between 2004 and 2006,
while  exports  to  South America  grew  at  14%,  contrasting
with a 5% contraction during the 1999 to 2003 period.





15

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 16

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Trade  dampens  proportionately  with
traditional partners

While Switzerland remains the second main destination for
EU-27  exports,  it  ranked  sixth  as  provider  of  imports  in

2006,  compared  to  third  in  1999.  Japan's  traditional
position as one of the EU’s main trading partners has been
eroded as it went from being the EU-27’s third partner for
exports in 1999 to fifth in 2006, and from second provider
of imports in 1999 to fifth in 2006.

2.2 EU exports: what we sell and to which markets

Upswing  in  major  products  drives  exports
after 2003

Extra-EU-27  exports  grew  at  an  average  8%  annually
between 1999 and 2006. Stagnating in 2002, exports in the
seven main SITC product groups had lost ground in 2003,
except  in  ‘Energy  products’.  A  cyclical  trend  was  most
marked  in  the  EU-27’s  two  principal  export  product
categories ‘Machinery & vehicles’ and ‘Other manufactured

articles’,  the  latter  category  mainly  consisting  of  ‘Iron  and
steel’,  ‘Professional,  scientific  and  controlling  instruments
and  apparatus’  and  ‘Non-metallic  mineral  manufactures’.
After  2003,  total  exports  rebounded,  expanding  at  an
annual  average  10%  until  2006,  lead  by  vigorous  export
growth in the three major product categories ‘Machinery &
vehicles’, ‘Other manufactured articles’ and ‘Chemicals’ as
well  as  by  exports  of  ‘Energy  products’,  which  more  than
doubled between 2003 and 2006.

Fig. 2.4: Extra-EU-27 exports by SITC product group, 1999 and 2006, shares in Extra-EU-27 total (%)

9991

6002

%05

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

& yrenihcaM
selcihev

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

slacimehC

stcudorp dooF

ygrenE

slairetam edurC

ton stcudorP
deifissalc
erehwesle

TET00061

Exports  of  ‘Energy  products’  outperformed  by  growing  at
20%  annually  over  the  entire  period,  while  ‘Food’  exports
grew at somewhat under 5%. While exporting some excess
electricity  production,  due  in  part  to  gains  in  overall

competitiveness  and  efficiency  made  in  the  central
European new Member States, the EU-27 has been able to
provide petroleum refining capacity, and to export ‘Energy
products’ in reply to high world demand.

Tab. 2.5: Extra-EU-27 exports by SITC product group, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

9991
1.386
8.14
5.41
7.51
4.79
2.181
6.413
0.81

0002
7.948
7.74
8.71
1.92
9.811
1.422
5.393
7.81

1002
7.488
3.94
0.71
9.42
2.031
7.232
0.214
7.81

2002
9.198
1.05
5.81
2.62
1.141
7.432
5.104
8.91

3002
2.968
5.84
3.81
4.72
1.141
9.322
6.193
5.81

4002
9.259
5.84
0.12
9.23
6.251
2.642
1.034
5.12

5002
2.3501
0.25
8.32
9.54
8.461
8.562
9.074
0.03

6002
2.7511
9.75
8.82
1.75
4.481
8.392
7.305
6.13

y

72-UE artxE latoT
stcudorp dooF
slairetam edurC
grenE
slacimehC
selcitra derutcafunam rehtO
selcihev & yrenihcaM
rehwesle deifissalc ton stcudorP

e

TET00048 to TET00053

16





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 17

Fig. 2.6: Extra-EU-27 exports by SITC group, 2006 (Share by main partner, %)

%001

%09

%08

%07

%06

%05

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

srehtO

yawroN

napaJ

yekruT

anihC

aissuR

dnalreztiwS

ASU

stcudorp dooF

slairetam edurC

dna yrenihcaMstcudorp lacimehCstcudorp ygrenE

selcihev

rehtO
derutcafunam
stcudorp

TET00041 to TET00046

Machinery  &  vehicles  the  most  exported
product

Russia  and  China  a  growing  market  for
Chemical products…

Making up 43.5% of EU-27 exports in 2006, ‘Machinery &
vehicles’  were  the  category  of  products  that  was  most
exported  Extra-EU-27. The  USA  remained  by  far  the  EU-
27's main customer, with sales of ‘Machinery & vehicles’ to
the USA growing by 20% over the seven-year period and
making up 22.4% of exports in 2006, compared to 30% in
1999.  While  EU-27  exports  of  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  to
Switzerland  and  Japan  were  constant,  exports  to  Turkey
and especially to Russia and China rose strongly between
1999  and  2006.  Exports  of  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  to  the
latter two partners displayed average annual growth rates
of 28% and 17% respectively.

Exports  of  Other  manufactured  products  to
all destinations grew

Making  up  25.4%  of  EU-27  exports  in  2006,  exports  of
‘Other  manufactured  products’  to  the  EU-27's  top  ten
partners  (mainly  ‘Iron  and  steel’,  ‘Professional,  scientific
and  controlling  instruments  and  apparatus’  and  ‘Non-
metallic mineral manufactures’) rose in all cases between
1999  and  2006.  The  USA  and  Switzerland  remained  first
and  second  respectively  as  the  EU-27’s  main  export
destinations of this product category, while sales to China
and  Russia  grew  at  an  impressive  annual  22%  in  both
cases. As with ‘Machinery & vehicles’, the exports of ‘Other
manufactured products’ in fact witnessed a stagnant phase
in 2001 and 2002, followed by a contraction in 2003. Driven
by worldwide demand, the years 2004 to 2006 were then
characterised by strong growth.

Exports  of  ‘Chemical  products’  displayed  robust  growth
throughout the period, making up just under 16% of EU-27
exports  in  2006,  when  around  50%  of  ‘Chemical  product’
exports together went to the USA, Switzerland, Russia and
China. While the USA developed its position as the leading
destination for EU-27 ‘Chemical product’ exports, with 30%
of total in 2006, exports to Russia and China grew strongly
at annual rates of 26% and 20% respectively between 1999
and 2006.

…  as  well  as  Food  products  and  Crude
materials

Despite  a  stagnant  phase  in  2003  and  2004,  exports  of
‘Food  products’  grew  over  the  entire  period.  The  USA
remained  the  EU-27's  main  export  partner  for  ‘Food
products’ between 1999 and 2006. Total EU-27 exports in
this category to China rose by 14% and to Russia by 11%,
making  Russia  the  destination  of  10%  of  EU-27  ‘Food’
exports in 2006 and thus the EU-27’s second main partner
for this product.

Energy products and Crude materials gain in
importance

A large share of ‘Energy’ exports went to the USA (31%) in
2006, 
followed  by  Switzerland  (8%),  while  China
purchased  the  largest  proportion  of  EU-27  ‘Crude
materials’ exports (17%) followed by the USA (13%). These
markets  have  seen  particularly  high  price  rises  over  the
period under analysis.





17

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 18

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.7: Top-10 products (SITC-2) exported by the EU-27 in 2006: shares in total extra-EU exports, 1999 and 2006

(%)

selcihev daoR

tnempiuqe dna senihcam lacirtcelE

yrenihcam lairtsudni esoprup-lareneG

stcudorp lacituecamrahp dna lanicideM

seirtsudni ralucitrap rof desilaiceps yrenihcaM

stcudorp muelortep dna muelorteP

tnempiuqe rieht dna senigne ,yrenihcam gnitareneg-rewoP

 sdoog derutcafunam suoenallecsiM

tnempiuqe tropsnart rehtO

oediv ,VT ,oidua ,snoitacinummoceleT

%0

%1

%2

%3

%4

%5

%6

%7

%8

%9

%01

9991

6002

Vehicles, machinery and medicinal products
export best 

We turn to the Top ten products exported by the EU-27 at
SITC-2 classification level. They made up 53.8% of EU-27
total  exports  in  2006  compared  to  51.7%  in  1999.  ‘Road
vehicles’  and  ‘Electrical  machines  &  equipment’  have
remained first and second best-selling EU-27 products on

international  markets.  In  third  position,  ‘Other  transport
equipment’  was  replaced  by  ‘General-purpose  industrial
machinery’. 
‘Medicinal  &  pharmaceutical  products’
strengthened their share in extra-EU-27 total exports from
4.2% in 1999 to 5.8% in 2006, rising from seventh to fourth
most  exported  SITC-2  product.  Led  by  strong  price  rises,
exports of ‘Petroleum products’ by the EU-27 jumped into
sixth  position,  making  up  4.5%  of  EU-27  exports  in  2006
compared to 2.0% in 1999. 

Fig. 2.8: Top-6 products (SITC-2) exported by the EU-27, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

021

001

08

06

04

02

0

18

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

selcihev daoR

tnempiuqe dna senihcam lacirtcelE

yrenihcam lairtsudni esoprup-lareneG

stcudorp lacituecamrahp dna lanicideM

seirtsudniralucitraprof desilaicepsyrenihcaM

stcudorp muelortepdna muelorteP





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 19

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.9: Top-6 products exported to extra-EU-27 by main partner, 1999 & 2006 (% of  total product exports)

9991

6002

Road vehicles (SITC 78)

Electrical machines and equipment (SITC 77)

ASU

aissuR

yekruT

dnalreztiwS

napaJ

anihC

acirfA htuoS

yawroN

ailartsuA

adanaC

ASU

anihC

aissuR

dnalreztiwS

eropagniS

aisyalaM

yekruT

gnoK gnoH

napaJ

yawroN

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%53

%04

%54

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

General-purpose industrial machinery (SITC 74)

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical products (SITC 54)

ASU

anihC

aissuR

dnalreztiwS

yekruT

aeroK htuoS

yawroN

aidnI

napaJ

aibarA iduaS

ASU

dnalreztiwS

aissuR

adanaC

napaJ

ailartsuA

yekruT

lizarB

yawroN

aeroK htuoS

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%53

%04

Machinery specialised for particular industries (SITC 72)

Petroleum and petroleum products (SITC 33)

ASU

anihC

aissuR

yekruT

dnalreztiwS

aidnI

yawroN

ailartsuA

napaJ

adanaC

ASU

dnalreztiwS

adanaC

yekruT

yawroN

airegiN

eropagniS

asinuT

aybiL

occoroM

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%53

Although remaining the EU-27’s main customer for the top
six products exported, the USA registered lower shares in
EU-27  exports  in  2006,  except  for  ‘Medicinal  and
Pharmaceuticals products’ which grew at an annual rate of
15.8%  from  1999  to  2006.  Strong  demand  from  Russia,
China and Turkey has made these countries into significant
trade  partners  of  the  automobile  industry.  From  1999  to
2006, these three countries also became significant export
destinations  for  ‘Electrical  machines  and  equipment’,  and
both 
industrial  machinery’  and
‘Machinery specialised for particular industries’. The value

‘General-purpose 

of  extra-EU-27  exports  of  ‘Medicinal  and  pharmaceutical
products’  grew  by  close  to  13%  annually.  Compared  to
1999,  greater  shares  of  these  products  were  sold  to  the
USA,  Russia  and  Canada.  Driven  by  recent  refining
capacity  developments 
the  EU-27  but  also  by
in 
substantially higher world energy prices, the export value of
‘Petroleum  and  petroleum  products’  increased  by  21%
annually between 1999 and 2006. The USA remained the
EU-27’s  main  client,  taking  close  to  one  third  of  these
exports both in 1999 and 2006.





19

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 20

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.10: Main products (SITC-3) exported by the EU-27, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn) – SITC division 78

781 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons (other than motor vehicles for the transport of 10 or more persons,    

including the driver), including station-wagons and racing cars

784 Parts and accessories of the motor vehicles of groups 722, 781, 782 and 783
782 Motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special-purpose motor vehicles

07

06

05

04

03

02

01

0

187

487

287

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

Fig. 2.11

Main products (SITC-3) exported by the EU-27, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn) – SITC division 77

776 Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum or vapour or gas-filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes,
cathode-ray  tubes,  television  camera  tubes);  diodes,  transistors  and  similar  semiconductor  devices;  photosensitive  semiconductor  devices;  light-emitting
diodes; mounted piezoelectric crystals; electronic integrated circuits and microassembles; parts thereof

772 Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (e.g., switches, relays, fuses, lighting
arresters,  voltage  limiters,  surge  suppressors,  plugs  and  sockets,  lamp-holders  and  junction  boxes);  electrical  resistors  (including  rheostats  and
potentiometers), other than heating resistors; printed circuits; boards, panels (including numerical control panels), consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases,
equipped with two or more apparatus for switching, protecting or for making connections to or in electrical circuits, for electric control or the distribution of
electricity (excluding switching apparatus of subgroup 764.1)
778 Electrical machinery and apparatus, not elsewhere specified.

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

677

277

877

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

20





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 21

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

‘Motor cars’: value of exports nearly doubles
between 1999 and 2006   

Going  one  step  further  in  detail,  SITC-3  product  group
level,  among  ‘Road  vehicles’  it  appears  that  ‘Motor  cars
and  other  motor  vehicles  principally  designed  for  the
transport  of  persons’  (SITC  781)  has  remained  the  best-
selling product group by a large margin, progressing from 

to 

EUR Bn 37 in 1999 to EUR Bn 68 in 2006. It was followed
by the group ‘Parts and accessories of the motor vehicles’
(SITC  784).  Moving 
‘Electrical  machines  and
equipment’, between 1999 and 2006, although the exports
of  ‘Valves  and  tubes,  diodes  and  transistors’  (SITC  776)
remained  higher,  the  exports  of  ‘Electrical  apparatus  for
switching or protecting electrical circuits’ (SITC 772) grew
more strongly, at an annual rate of 8.7% compared to 4.6%
for the former. 

2.3 EU imports: what we buy and from which suppliers

Three  product  groups  lead  import  growth
after 2003

Between 1999 and 2006, Extra-EU-27 imports grew at an
average 9%, that is by annually 1.1 percentage points more
than  exports.  The  value  of  imports  of  all  SITC-1  product
categories  rose  over  the  entire  period,  and  the  strongest
average  annual  growth  rates  were  displayed  by  ‘Energy’

(22%), ‘Chemicals’ (9%) and ‘Other manufactured articles’
(8%), the latter product group mainly consisting of ‘Articles
of  apparel  and  clothing  accessories’,  ‘Non-ferrous  metals’
and ‘Iron and steel’. Having passed through a clear phase
of contraction and stagnation, between 2000 and 2003, the
three  top  EU-27  imports  by  SITC-1  product  category,
‘Machinery and vehicles’, ‘Other manufactured articles’ and
‘Energy’,  grew  vigorously  from  2003  to  2006,  at  annual
rates of respectively 7%, 13% and 29%.

Fig. 2.12        Extra-EU-27 imports by SITC product group, 1999 and 2006, shares in Extra-EU-27 total (%)

9991

6002

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

& yrenihcaM
selcihev

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

ygrenE

slacimehC

ton stcudorPslairetam edurCstcudorp dooF

deifissalc
erehwesle

TET00062

Energy  price  rise  has  clear  impact  on
imports

Between 1999 and 2006, the yearly average USD price of
Brent Crude, for example, rose by 265%. Due to a 300%
rise in the EU-27’s energy product import bill between 1999

and 2006, ‘Energy’s’ share in the EU-27’s total imports of
goods  rose  from  11%  to  25%  respectively.  This  strong
proportional rise is explained by the pronounced increase
in  the  world  prices  of  energy  products  and,  to  a  lesser
extent, by the rise in demand from the new Member States'
economies.

Tab. 2.13: Extra-EU-27 imports by SITC product group, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

y

72-UE artxE latoT
stcudorp dooF
slairetam edurC
grenE
slacimehC
selcitra derutcafunam rehtO
selcihev & yrenihcaM
rehwesle deifissalc ton stcudorP

e

TET00048 to TET00053

9991
3.347
3.05
9.83
1.48
7.85
3.002
2.882
9.22

0002
7.299
8.45
2.94
1.161
5.07
5.052
5.173
0.53

1002
1.979
1.85
0.84
8.751
9.67
5.352
0.253
8.23

2002
0.739
1.85
5.44
1.941
8.08
3.442
1.923
1.13

3002
3.539
3.75
1.34
9.751
5.08
5.832
7.623
3.13

4002
5.7201
9.85
5.84
6.381
6.88
5.262
6.453
9.03

5002
9.9711
0.36
7.25
5.272
4.69
2.092
1.973
8.52

6002
2.0531
8.76
9.26
8.833
9.801
4.143
8.104
6.82





21

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 22

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.14

Extra-EU-27 imports by SITC product group, 2006 (Share by main partner, %)

%001

%09

%08

%07

%06

%05

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

srehtO

yekruT

dnalreztiwS

napaJ

yawroN

aissuR

ASU

anihC

stcudorp dooF

slairetam edurC

stcudorp ygrenE

stcudorp lacimehC

dna yrenihcaM
selcihev

derutcafunam rehtO
stcudorp

TET00041 to TET00046

China  confirmed  as  major  supplier  of
machinery and vehicles...

Making up just under 30% of Total extra-EU-27 imports of
goods with EUR 402 Bn, ‘Machinery and vehicles’ were the
main import in 2006. The product category’s share in total
imports  has  however  fallen  from  39%  in  1999.  In  2006,
China  was  the  EU-27's  main  provider  of  ‘Machinery  and
vehicles’, forming the source of 23% of those imports, up
from  6%  in  1999.  Offshoring  of  European  industries  and
record levels of foreign direct investment have contributed
to China becoming a major world player in the ‘Machinery
and  vehicles’  manufacturing  industry.  Having  replaced
Japan  in  second  position  as  EU-27  supplier  in  2004,  it
substituted the USA in first position in 2006, also ahead of
the  other  traditionally  strong  South-  and  East-Asian
exporters and ASEM members South Korea and Taiwan.

... and of other manufactured goods

Totalling EUR 341 Bn, that is above one quarter of imports
in 2006, ‘Other manufactured products’ (mainly ‘Articles of
apparel and clothing accessories’, ‘Non-ferrous metals’ and
‘Iron  and  steel’)  were  the  EU-27’s  second  main  imported
product  category.  Supplying  over  a  quarter  of  imports  of
‘Other  manufactured  products’  in  2005  and  2006,  China
had become the EU-27’s main supplier of those goods in
2001. EU-27 imports of ‘Other manufactured products’ from
the USA declined in 2002 and 2003, and, by 2006, had not
recovered  to  the  record  levels  of  2000  and  2001.
Throughout the period, Switzerland was proportionally the
third  main  supplier  of  EU-27 
‘Other
manufactured products’.

imports  of 

Russia main supplier of Energy products

In third position, just behind ‘Other manufactured products’,
‘Energy  products’  worth  EUR  339  Bn  made  up  over  a
quarter of the EU-27’s import bill in 2006. This proportion
has  strongly  risen  from  11%  in  1999,  growing  especially
between  2004  and  2006.  Out  of  the  Top  ten  sources  of
EU-27 imports, Russia and Norway were clearly the main
providers of energy products to the EU-27 in 2006.

Chemical  products  mainly  come  from  the
USA and Switzerland

Endowed  with  high-technology 
industries  such  as
pharmaceuticals,  the  USA  and  Switzerland  remained  in
first  and  second  position  as  suppliers  of  the  EU-27’s
imports  of  ‘Chemical  products’  throughout  the  seven-year
period,  together  making  up  54%  of  EU-27  imports  in  that
category in 2006, compared to 58% in 1999.

Brazil  main  provider  of  Food  and  Crude
materials

Brazil became the largest single provider of ‘Food products’
to  the  EU-27  in  2001  and  of  ‘Crude  materials’  in  2004,
closely followed in the latter category by the USA. Between
2004 and 2006, in many cases, crude materials witnessed
strong price rises similar to that of crude oil.

22





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 23

Fig. 2.15 : Top-10 products (SITC-2) imported by the EU-27 in 2006: shares in total EU imports, 1999 and 2006 (%)

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

stcudorp muelortep dna muelorteP

sretupmoc dna yrenihcam eciffO

tnempiuqe dna senihcam lacirtcelE

oediv ,VT ,oidua ,snoitacinummoceleT

seirossecca gnihtolc fo lerappa dna selcitrA

selcihev daoR

 sdoog derutcafunam suoenallecsiM

derutcafunam dna larutan ,saG

slatem suorref-noN

stcudorp lacituecamrahp dna lanicideM

%0

%2

%4

%6

%8

%01

%21

%41

%61

%81

%02

9991

6002

Value of petroleum imports soar

We turn to the Top ten products imported by the EU-27 at
SITC-2 classification level. They together made up 57.4%
of EU-27 total imports in 2006 compared to 49.0% in 1999.
In  first  position  as  the  EU-27’s  most-imported  product,
‘Petroleum  &  petroleum  products’  gained  1.4  percentage
points  (pp)  annually  on  average,  going  from  making  up
8.8%  of  total  imports  in  1999  to  18.9%  in  2006.  ‘Office
machinery  &  computers’  was  the  second-most  imported
product  division.  Compared  to  8.2%  in  1999,  it  made  up

5.9%  of  total  imports  in  2006.  ‘Electrical  machines  and
equipment’ remained in third position, also losing weight in
EU-27  total.  Among  the  Top  ten  imported  products,
between  1999  and  2006,  three  went  against  the  trend  of
losing shares in EU-27 total imports especially induced by
the rise in petroleum imports. Up 1.0 percentage point (pp),
‘Telecommuni-cations,  audio,  TV,  video’  was  the  fourth
main import in 2006, compared to seventh in 1999. ‘Gas,
natural  and  manufactured’  gained  1.9  pp  in  EU-27  total
imports, while ‘Non-ferrous metals’ gained 1.0 pp.

Fig. 2.16: Top-6 products (SITC-2) imported by the EU-27, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

003

052

002

051

001

05

0

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

stcudorp muelortep dna muelorteP

sretupmoc dna yrenihcam eciffO

tnempiuqe dna senihcam lacirtcelE

oediv ,VT ,oidua ,snoitacinummoceleT

seirossecca gnihtolc fo lerappa dna selcitrA

selcihev daoR





23

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 24

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.17 : Top-6 products imported from extra-EU-27 by main partner, 1999 & 2006 (% of  total product imports)

9991

6002

Petroleum and petroleum products (SITC 33)

Office machinery and computers (SITC 75)

aissuR

yawroN

aybiL

aibarA iduaS

narI

natshkazaK

aireglA

airegiN

qarI

airyS

anihC

ASU

nawiaT

napaJ

aisyalaM

eropagniS

aeroK htuoS

dnaliahT

gnoK gnoH

adanaC

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%53

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%53

%04

Electrical machinery and equipment (SITC 77)

Telecommunications, audio, TV, video (SITC 76)

anihC

ASU

napaJ

nawiaT

aeroK htuoS

dnalreztiwS

eropagniS

aisyalaM

yekruT

gnoK gnoH

anihC

aeroK htuoS

napaJ

ASU

nawiaT

aisyalaM

yekruT

gnoK gnoH

eropagniS

dnaliahT

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%53

%04

%54

Articles and apparel of clothing accessories (SITC 84)

Road vehicles (SITC 78)

anihC

yekruT

aidnI

gnoK gnoH

aisinuT

occoroM

aisenodnI

dnaliahT

aisyalaM

dnalreztiwS

napaJ

ASU

aeroK htuoS

yekruT

anihC

nawiaT

dnaliahT

lizarB

dnalreztiwS

acirfA htuoS

%0

%5

%01

%51

%02

%52

%03

%53

%04

%0

%01

%02

%03

%04

%05

%06

China now first provider of four out of six top
products

Between  1999  and  2006,  imports  of  'Petroleum  and
petroleum  products'  grew  by  more  than  21%  yearly.
Providing EUR 14 Bn worth of these in 1999 compared to
EUR 82 Bn in 2006, Russia has become the main source
of EU-27 imports in this product category. China has taken
a leading role as a supplier of manufactured goods to the

EU-27.  Indeed,  by  2006  China  had  confirmed  its  leading
position  as  provider  of  ‘Articles  and  apparel  of  clothing
accessories’ and had gained the major share as provider of
yet  other  three  out  of  the  six  main  imported  product
categories:  ‘Office  machinery  and  computers’,  ‘Electrical
machinery  and  equipment’  and  ‘Telecommunications,
audio, TV,  video’.  In  those  three  categories  both  the  USA
and  Japan  lost  significant  shares  in  the  EU-27  import-
market.

24





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 25

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.18: Main products (SITC-3) imported by the EU-27, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn) – SITC division 33

333 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude
334 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (other than crude); Preparations, not elsewhere specified, containing by weight 70% or more of

petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations; waste oils 

335 Residual petroleum products, not elsewhere specified, and related materials

002

051

001

05

0

333

433

533

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

Fig. 2.19: Main products (SITC-3) imported by the EU-27, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn) – SITC division 75

751 Office machines
752 Automatic  data-processing  machines  and  units  thereof;  magnetic  or  optical  readers,  machines  for  transcribing  data  onto  data  media  in  coded  form  and

machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified

759 Parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) suitable for use solely or principally with machines falling within groups 751 and 752

05

54

04

53

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

257

957

157

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

Turning  to  the  more  detailed  SITC-3  classification  level,
imports  of  ‘Petroleum  oils  and  oils  obtained  from
bituminous minerals, crude’ (SITC 333) have remained by
far  the  highest-valued  import  product  group  going  from
costing  EUR  56  Bn  in  1999  to  EUR  210  Bn  in  2006,  the
main increase having occurred after 2003. With EUR 46 Bn

imported  from  outside  the  European  Union  in  2006,
‘Automatic  data-processing  machines  and  units  thereof’
(SITC  752)  was  the  second  most  valued  import  product
category  still  ahead  of  the  imports  of  ‘Petroleum  oils  and
oils  obtained  from  bituminous  minerals,  other  than  crude’
(SITC 334), valued at EUR 43 Bn. 





25

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 26

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

2.4 Extra-EU trade by single Member State

Surpluses  in  1999  were  generally  improved
by 2006

From close to EUR 60 Bn in 1999, the EU-27 deficit in the
extra-EU trade of goods grew to over EUR 140 Bn in 2000,
then  contracting  to  EUR  45  Bn  in  2002.  First  increasing

slowly  in  2003  and  2004,  it  then  widened  rapidly  in  2005
and  2006,  when  it  reached  EUR  193  Bn,  equivalent  to
close to one sixth of EU-27 exports. Of the eight Member
States  with  a  goods  surplus  in  1999,  Austria,  Ireland,
Germany,  Finland  and  Sweden  had  improved  their
surpluses  by  2006,  with  Denmark  and  Malta  remaining
close to balance.

Tab. 2.20: Extra-EU-27 exports, imports and trade balance by Member State, 2006 (EUR Bn)

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB EDART

c

72-UE
muigleB
airagluB
ilbupeR hcezC
k
ramneD
y
namreG
ainotsE
dnalerI
eceerG
niapS
ecnarF
y
latI
surpyC
aivtaL
ainauhtiL
gruobmexuL
ragnuH
atlaM
sdnalrehteN
airtsuA
dnaloP
lagutroP
ainamoR
ainevolS
aikavolS
dnalniF
nedewS
modgniK detinU

y

6002

2.7511
2.86
8.4
9.01
4.12
1.123
6.2
1.23
1.6
3.74
8.531
6.921
3.0
4.1
1.4
9.1
5.21
1.1
0.67
6.03
6.81
8.7
7.7
8.5
4.4
2.62
8.64
3.231

-artxE ni erahS
 stropxE 72-UE
(%)
001
9.5
4.0
9.0
9.1
8.72
2.0
8.2
5.0
1.4
7.11
2.11
30.0
1.0
4.0
2.0
1.1
1.0
6.6
6.2
6.1
7.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
3.2
0.4
4.11

6002

2.0531
0.97
0.6
5.41
3.91
3.262
7.2
4.81
5.12
3.89
6.231
2.051
7.1
2.2
8.5
3.6
6.81
0.1
8.661
2.22
4.72
9.21
9.41
3.4
9.8
8.91
5.03
3.202

-artxE ni erahS
 stropmI 72-UE
(%)
001
8.5
4.0
1.1
4.1
4.91
2.0
4.1
6.1
3.7
8.9
1.11
1.0
2.0
4.0
5.0
4.1
1.0
4.21
6.1
0.2
0.1
1.1
3.0
7.0
5.1
3.2
0.51

6002

0.391-
8.01-
2.1-
6.3-
2.2
9.85
2.0-
7.31
3.51-
0.15-
2.3
6.02-
4.1-
8.0-
7.1-
4.4-
1.6-
0.0
7.09-
5.8
9.8-
1.5-
3.7-
6.1
5.4-
4.6
2.61
0.07-

The ‘Rotterdam effect’

Dutch imports, and therefore the trade deficit,
are  over-estimated  because  of  the  so-called
‘Rotterdam  effect’.  Goods  destined  for  the
rest  of  the  EU  arrive  in  Dutch  ports  and,
according  to  Community  rules,  are  declared
as  imports  by  the  Netherlands  (the  country
where  these  goods  are  released  for  free
circulation). This then has a positive effect on
the  extra-EU  balances  of  those  Member
States to which the goods are re-exported, as
these  shipments  would  be  recorded,  for
Community  statistics,  as  arrivals  from  the
Netherlands,  rather  than  imports  from  an
extra-EU partner. To a lesser extent, Belgian
trade figures are similarly over-estimated.

TET00038, TET00047 

Rising Energy import bill deepens deficit

Over the 1999 to 2006 period, France’s improved balance
in ‘Machinery and vehicles’ and in ‘Chemical products’ was
outweighed by a rising deficit in ‘Energy products’, bringing
France’s  trade  surplus  from  EUR  13  Bn  in  1999  to 
EUR  3  Bn  in  2006.  In  Italy,  a  marked  increase  in  the
‘Energy  products’  deficit  together  with  a  growing  deficit  in
‘Other manufactured products’ resulted in an overall deficit
of EUR 21 Bn in 2006, compared to a surplus of EUR 9 Bn
in  1999.  Of  the  18  Member  States  that  were  in  deficit  in
1999,  17  had  worsened  positions  in  2006,  only  Slovenia
building  up  a  surplus  of  EUR  1.5  Bn  over  the  period  and
Estonia approaching balance. Goods deficits were seen to
grow  most  in  Romania  (+35.6%  yearly),  in  Luxembourg
(+25.6%) and in Spain (+22.5%).

Germany and the Netherlands are European
export drivers

Between 1999 and 2006, the strongest gainers in shares of
the EU-27 export market were Germany (+2.0 percentage
points),  the  Netherlands  (+1.2  pp)  and  Poland  (+0.9  pp).
Germany  made  export  market  share  gains  in  all  SITC-1
product  categories  apart  from  ‘Chemical  products’,  and
particularly  in  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’  and  in  ‘Other
manufactured products’. Active in the import and export of
‘Energy  products’,  as  well  as  in  refining,  the  Netherlands
doubled their share in EU-27 exports of ‘Energy products’
from  7%  in  1999  to  14%  in  2006.  Poland  gained  export
market  shares  in  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’,  in  ‘Other
manufactured  products’  and  in  ‘Food  products’.  France 
(-3.8  pp)  and  the  United  Kingdom  (-3.3  pp)  displayed  the
greatest  total  loss  in  their  share  of  total  exports.  France’s
EU-27  export  market  shares  were  down  in  all  sectors,
especially  in  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’,  ‘Energy  products’
and  ‘Food  products’.  The  United  Kingdom’s  share  in  the
EU-27  export  of  ‘Energy  products’  dropped  strongly
between  1999  and  2006.  UK  shares  in  EU-27  exports  of
‘Machinery and vehicles’ and ‘Food products’ also fell.

26





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 27

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

New Member States’ exports grew rapidly

All twelve Member States that joined the European Union
during the 2004 and 2007 enlargements contributed to total
exports  in  greater  or  equal  shares  in  2006  compared  to
1999.  The  ten  Member  States  displaying  the  highest

annual  average  export  growth  rates  were  the  ten  Central
European Member States. That group also corresponds to
the  Member  States  displaying  the  highest  GDP  growth
rates  over  the  period,  together  with  Ireland.  In  leading
position,  while  its  GDP  grew  at  14%  annually,  Estonia
displayed annual average export growth of 35% during the
period.

Fig. 2.21: Extra-EU-27 exports by Member State, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

SM rehtO

airtsuA

dnalerI

nedewS

niapS

muigleB

sdnalrehteN

ylatI

detinU
modgniK

ecnarF

ynamreG

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

0021

0001

008

006

004

002

0

TET00047

Export upswing after 2003

Reaching  24%  between  1999  and  2000,  EU-27  export
growth  slowed  down  in  2001,  yet  more  in  2002,  then
receding  in  2003.  Between  2003  and  2006,  exports
increased rapidly again by over 10% annually on average.
The  launch  of  the  euro  in  2001,  the  worldwide  economic
upswing starting in 2003 and the enlargement to EU-25 in
2004  are  widely  recognised  as  being  the  major  factors
having contributed to export dynamism.

Exports decoupled from USA growth around
2003

It is interesting to note that between 1999 and 2002, EU-27
exports were closely correlated with the GDP of the main
trading  partner,  the  USA.  Around  2003,  this  connection
appears to have been decoupled, and the EU-27 exported
increasing  quantities  to  growing  markets  such  as  China
and  Russia  in  the  following  years,  contributing  to  linear
growth in EU-27 total exports of goods between 2003 and
2006.





27

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 28

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.22: Top-10 Extra-EU-27 exporters, 1999 to 2006 (shares in Extra-EU-27 exports, %)

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

ynamreG

ecnarF

modgniK detinU

ylatI

sdnalrehteN

muigleB

niapS

nedewS

dnalerI

airtsuA

Export and GDP go hand-in-hand

In  1999,  the  EU-27’s  Top  ten  exporting  Member  States
made  up  91.8%  of  total  exports,  a  share  which,  by  2006,
had  fallen  to  88.1%.  After  2003,  exports  were  driven  by
growth in Germany as well as in the group of other Member
States. Excluding some of the latter, over the entire period,
Austria (+11.1%) and the Netherlands (+10.9%) displayed
the  highest  average  annual  extra-EU-27  export  growth
rates.  Among  the  older  (EU-15)  Member  States,  Spain,
while it recorded the highest average GDP growth rate after
Ireland from 1999 to 2006, replaced Sweden in 2006 as the
seventh main EU-27 exporter.

TET00038

Tab. 2.23: Extra-EU-27 exports by Member State, 

1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

72-UE
ynamreG
ecnarF
modgniK detinU
ylatI
sdnalrehteN
muigleB
niapS
nedewS
dnalerI
airtsuA
dnalniF
kramneD
dnaloP
yragnuH
cilbupeR hcezC
lagutroP
ainamoR
eceerG
ainevolS
airagluB
aikavolS
ainauhtiL
gruobmexuL
ainotsE
atlaM
aivtaL
surpyC

9991
1.386
0.671
0.601
2.001
7.97
9.63
8.53
9.52
8.92
9.12
7.41
7.31
7.31
7.4
7.3
1.3
6.3
2.2
5.3
1.2
6.1
0.1
7.0
0.1
3.0
0.1
4.0
2.0

3002
2.968
3.332
5.511
2.011
6.99
3.15
6.15
2.43
3.73
9.03
2.12
7.81
5.71
6.8
0.6
5.5
3.5
9.3
2.4
6.3
5.2
7.2
3.2
3.1
7.0
0.1
5.0
2.0

5002
2.3501
8.872
0.631
7.131
3.611
0.66
6.26
8.24
2.34
9.13
3.82
2.32
1.02
4.51
7.9
1.9
1.6
7.6
3.5
9.4
7.3
3.3
3.3
5.1
4.1
9.0
0.1
3.0

6002
2.7511
1.123
8.531
3.231
6.921
0.67
2.86
3.74
8.64
1.23
6.03
2.62
4.12
6.81
5.21
9.01
8.7
7.7
1.6
8.5
8.4
4.4
1.4
9.1
6.2
1.1
4.1
3.0

TET00038

28





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 29

Fig. 2.24: Main partner countries for exports - Shares of  Top-10 Extra-EU-27 Exporters, 1999 and 2006 (%)

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

999

2 - 

600

1

%001

%08

%06

%04

%02

%0

1

999

2 - 

600

1

999

2-

600

1

999

2-

600

1

999

2-

600

1

999

2-

600

SM rehtO

airtsuA

dnalerI

nedewS

niapS

muigleB

sdnalrehteN

ylatI

detinU
modgniK
ecnarF

ynamreG

ASU

dnalreztiwS

aissuR

anihC

yekruT

srehtO

Exports  to  the  USA  rise  though  EU-27
exporters change

Making  up  27%  of  the  EU-27  total  in  1999  and  23%  in
2006,  exports  to  the  USA  grew  by  over  5%  yearly  in
monetary  terms.  During  the  seven-year  period,  in  France 
(-3.2 pp), the United Kingdom (-2.9 pp) and Italy (-1.6 pp)
the loss of shares in EU-27 exports to the USA was mainly
attributable  to  reduced  shares  in  the  SITC-1  ‘Machinery
and vehicles’ product category, in the first two cases, and
in ‘Other manufactured products’ in the latter. Shares in the
exports to the USA were gained by the seven other Top ten
exporters as well as by the group of Other Member States,
and  especially  by  Belgium  (+2.0  pp),  which  mainly
progressed 
the
Netherlands  (+1.8  pp),  exporting  higher  proportions  of
‘Energy products’ as well as more ‘Chemical products’.

‘Chemicals’  category,  and 

the 

in 

France loses shares in Swiss market

With  lower  sales  as  a  share  of  total,  especially  in
‘Machinery and vehicles’, but also in ‘Energy products’ and
in  ‘Other  manufactured  products’,  France  lost  8  pp  of  its
share  of  EU-27  exports  to  Switzerland,  as  it  went  from
contributing  19.7%  of  those  exports  in  1999  to  11.7%  in
2006. Shares in the Swiss market were mainly gained by
Germany (+3.0 pp) and by Italy (+2.5 pp).

Exports 
Germany

to  Russia  quadruple, 

led  by

Rising  to  EUR  72.2  Bn  in  2006,  four  times  their  size  in
1999,  exports  to  Russia  by  the  EU-27’s  Member  States

varied less in the way they were distributed between 1999
and 2006 than they did with other main partners. Germany,
Other Member States and Austria gained market shares at
the  expense  of  France,  Ireland  and  the  United  Kingdom
which,  all  three,  especially  lost  ground  in  their  exports  of
‘Food products’.

China  second-strongest  export  growth
market for EU-27

Total sales to China, the export destination displaying the
second-strongest  growth  after  Russia,  grew  at  an  annual
average  rate  of  18.3%  between  1999  and  2006.  Gains  in
market  shares,  mainly  in  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’  and  in
‘Other  manufactured  products’,  were  made  by  Germany
(+7.3 pp), the Netherlands (+1.3 pp) and Ireland (+0.8 pp),
while  shares  were  mainly  yielded  in  ‘Machinery  and
vehicles’  by  Sweden  (-3.9  pp),  France  (-3.7  pp)  and  the
United Kingdom (-1.8 pp).

Other Member States’ exports to Turkey and
Other destinations grow

Gains  in  shares  of  the  EU-27’s  export  market  to  Turkey
were made over the 1999 to 2006 period by the group of
Other  Member  States  (+8.0  pp),  Germany  (+1.1  pp)  and
Belgium (+0.6 pp). France (-5.0 pp), Sweden (-3.3pp) and
the United Kingdom (-1.5 pp) lost market shares, especially
in ‘Machinery and vehicles’. 





29

 
  
  
  
Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 30

2. EU-27 Trade flows

Fig. 2.25: Extra-EU-27 exports by product group: shares of  Top-10 EU-27 Exporters, 1999 and 2006 (%)

6002 - 9991

6002 - 9991

6002 - 9991

6002 - 9991

6002 - 9991

6002 - 9991

%001

%09

%08

%07

%06

%05

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

SM rehtO

airtsuA

dnalerI

nedewS

niapS

muigleB

sdnalrehteN

ylatI

modgniK detinU

ecnarF

ynamreG

dooF
stcudorp

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

& yrenihcaM
selcihev

TET00048 to TET00053

Netherlands  and  Germany  gain  shares  in
most categories

Among  the  Top  ten  EU-27  exporters,  between  1999  and
2006, only the Netherlands improved their market share in
the  export  of  each  SITC-1  product  category.  One
particularly notes the 6.5 pp increase of its share in Extra-
EU-27 exports of ‘Energy products’, which rose from 7.4%
in 1999 to 13.9% in 2006. Germany gained export market
shares  in  every  category  apart  from  ‘Chemicals’.  Belgium
and  Spain  recorded  market  share  gains  in  every  product
category,  except  for  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’,  Belgium
making  its  biggest  EU-27  export  market  gains  in  the
‘Chemical products’ category (+4.5 pp).  

New  Member  States  progress  while  France
and the United Kingdom lose export market
shares

The  ‘Other  Member  States’  had  higher  EU-27  export
market shares in every product category in 2006 compared
to 1999, especially in ‘Machinery and vehicles’ (+5 pp) and
in  ‘Energy  products’  (+4  pp).  These  gains  are  mainly
attributable  to  the  ten  central  European  new  Member
States. France lost export-market shares in every product
category over the seven-year period, notably in ‘Machinery
and vehicles’ (-5.6 pp) and the United Kingdom lost export-
market shares in every product category apart from ‘Crude
materials’. An 11.7 pp drop in the United Kingdom’s share
of EU-27 ‘Energy product’ exports can be explained by the
reduction in its domestic reserves.

Variations in Member State trade balances

Germany  was  the  Member  State  that  gained  most  export
market  shares.  Together  with  reductions  in  most  of  its
SITC-1 EU-27 import shares (see Fig.2.30), this made for
goods  surplus  growth  from  EUR  24.9  Bn  in  1999  to  EUR
58.9 Bn in 2006, at an annual rate of 13.1%, only outpaced
by Austria (+17.2%) and Ireland (+13.7%). France's shares
in  EU-27  imports  fell  in  all  sectors,  especially  in  ‘Other
manufactured  products’  and  ‘Energy  products’.  Losing  a
2.7  pp  import  market  share  and  a  3.8  pp  export  market
share  implied  that  the  French  surplus  of  EUR  13.1  Bn  in
1999  was  reduced  over  the  period,  at  an  annual  average
rate of 18.2%, to EUR 3.2 Bn in 2006.

New Member States have higher export than
import growth

In  the  10  central  European  new  Member  States  (those  of
the two last enlargement waves, except Cyprus and Malta),
the  yearly  average  growth  rates  of  exports  were  the
highest,  led  by  Estonia  (34.6%),  suggesting  that  GDP
developments in those Member States’ were driven by the
export  of  goods.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that,  within  the 
EU-27,  8  of  the  12  new  Member  States  had  the  greatest
differential between the growth rate of exports and that of
imports,  the  highest  differential  being  recorded  in  Estonia
(16.6%).  The  other  Member  States  Latvia  and  Bulgaria
displayed  healthy  differentials  of  2.6  pp  and  2.4  pp
respectively, while Malta was at a par and Romania had a
negative differential (-5.8 pp).

30





Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 31

Fig. 2.26: Extra-EU-27 Imports by Member State, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

0041

0021

0001

008

006

004

002

0

TET00047

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

Fig. 2.27: Top-10 Extra-EU-27 importers, 1999 to 2006 (shares in Extra-EU-27 imports, %)

52

02

51

01

5

0

TET00038

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

rehtO

airtsuA

dnaloP

nedewS

muigleB

niapS

ecnarF

ylatI

sdnalrehteN

modgniK detinU

ynamreG

ynamreG

modgniK detinU

sdnalrehteN

ylatI

ecnarF

niapS

muigleB

nedewS

dnaloP

airtsuA





31

Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 32

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Tab. 2.28; Extra-EU-27 Imports by Member State, 1999 to

2006 (EUR Bn)

Imports grew after 2003 in particular

72-UE
ynamreG
modgniK detinU
sdnalrehteN
ylatI
ecnarF
niapS
muigleB
nedewS
dnaloP
airtsuA
eceerG
dnalniF
dnalerI
kramneD
yragnuH
cilbupeR hcezC
ainamoR
lagutroP
aikavolS
gruobmexuL
airagluB
ainauhtiL
ainevolS
ainotsE
aivtaL
surpyC
atlaM

9991
3.347
1.151
8.731
6.28
0.17
9.29
2.83
8.24
5.81
0.21
9.11
6.8
3.9
3.61
4.11
4.7
3.6
0.3
9.7
7.2
9.1
3.2
7.1
1.2
9.0
7.0
2.1
9.0

3002
3.539
2.181
9.251
6.501
5.69
9.401
6.65
9.45
8.02
3.81
0.61
6.61
9.11
7.71
5.31
0.51
1.31
8.6
6.8
1.5
2.3
1.4
8.3
9.2
0.2
1.1
4.1
9.0

5002
9.9711
9.122
3.081
9.741
5.521
5.131
2.38
5.17
5.62
2.02
0.02
3.81
2.61
4.81
6.71
1.61
4.11
1.21
5.11
2.6
8.4
7.4
1.5
4.3
0.2
7.1
6.1
7.0

6002
2.0531
3.262
3.202
8.661
2.051
6.231
3.89
0.97
5.03
4.72
2.22
5.12
8.91
4.81
3.91
6.81
5.41
9.41
9.21
9.8
3.6
0.6
8.5
3.4
7.2
2.2
7.1
0.1

TET00038

EU-27 total goods imports grew at an average rate of 8.9%,
from  EUR  743.3  Bn  in  1999  to  EUR  1350.2  Bn  in  2006.
This compares with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%
in  the  case  of  EU-27  exports.  Total  EU-27  imports
apparently  described  a  cyclical  pattern,  peaking
momentarily  in  2000  before  falling  until  2003,  thereafter
growing  first  slowly  and  then  more  rapidly,  at  an  annual
average rate of 13%. Throughout the period, Germany was
in first position, contributing to 19.4% of EU-27 imports in
2006,  while  the  United  Kingdom  (15.0%)  was  in  firm
second  position.  The  Netherlands  became  the  EU-27's
third  main  importer  of  goods  in  2003,  replacing  France
which,  in  2006,  became  fifth  main  importer  after  Italy.  In
2003,  Spain  replaced  Belgium  as  sixth  main  EU-27
importer.

Spain’s imports grew most rapidly

Overall, imports grew particularly rapidly in Spain (14.5%),
in Poland (12.6%) in Italy (11.3%) and in the Netherlands
(10.6%)  as  well  as  in  Other  Member  States  (11.3%).
Among  those,  apart  from  Luxembourg,  which  was  in
second  place  with  19.2%  annual  increases,  imports  grew
most  in  six  of  the  new  Central  European  Member  States,
starting  with  Romania  (25.6%).  From  2003  to  2006,  one
particularly  notices  the  strong  annual  growth  rates  of
imports  by  Spain  (20.2%),  the  Netherlands  (16.5%)  and
Italy (15.9%). Over the entire period, imports grew least in
France  (5.2%),  the  United  Kingdom  (5.6%),  Sweden
(7.4%)  and  Germany  (8.2%)  and,  among  the  Other
Member States, in Ireland (1.7%) and in Malta (1.8%).

Fig. 2.29: Main partner countries for imports - Shares of  top-10 Extra-EU-27 Importers, 1999 and 2006 (%)

%001

%09

%08

%07

%06

%05

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

6002-9991

6002-9991

6002-9991

6002-9991

6002-9991

6002-9991

anihC

ASU

aissuR

yawroN

napaJ

srehtO

SM rehtO

airtsuA

dnaloP

nedewS

muigleB

niapS

ecnarF

ylatI

sdnalrehteN

modgniK detinU

ynamreG

32





  
  
 
  
  
Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 33

China becomes main partner for imports

Between 1999 and 2006, EU-27 imports from China rose at
an  average  annual  rate  of  20.5%,  from  respectively 
EUR  52.6  Bn  to  EUR  194.3  Bn.  Still  the  EU-27's  fourth
source  of  imports  in  1999,  China  was  in  first  position  in
2006,  providing  14.4%  of  EU-27  imports.  Imports  of
products from all SITC-1 categories rose, especially those
of  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’  (+27.4%  annually),  ‘Other
manufactured  products’  (+16.5%),  ‘Chemical  products’
(+15.9%)  and  ‘Food  products’  (+13.0%).  Over  the  period,
especially Germany’s imports rose (+EUR 29.9 Bn) and the
Netherlands’  (+EUR  26.3  Bn),  yet  the  shares  in  EU-27
imports  from  China  dropped  for  the  United  Kingdom 
(-4.5  pp),  France  (-3.1  pp)  and  Germany  (-2.4  pp).  The
Netherlands'  share  in  EU-27  total  rose  by  7.1  pp,  mainly
due to increased imports of ‘Machinery and vehicles’ from
China. The ‘Other Member States’ made up 4.2 pp more of
total  EU-27  imports  from  China  in  2006,  due  also  to
substantially higher imports of ‘Machinery and vehicles’ as
well as higher ‘Crude material’ imports.

Imports from the USA stable

Imports  from  the  USA  grew  at  yearly  1.0%  but,  providing
22.3% of EU-27 imports in 1999, the USA supplied 13.2%
of total in 2006. Making up 57% of the EU-27's imports from
the  USA  in  1999,  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’  imports
decreased  by  2.3%  annually,  to  make  up  45%  of  total  in
2006.  EU-27  imports  of  ‘Energy  products’  from  the  USA
rose  by  14.5%  annually  while  ‘Chemical  product’  imports
grew by 7.4% and ‘Crude materials’ by 3.4%. In 2006, the

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Netherlands (+3.4 pp) and Germany (+2.4 pp) had higher
shares in total EU-27 imports from the USA, due mainly to
higher  imports  of  ‘Chemical  products’  in  both  cases.
Resulting  mainly  from  lower  imports  of  ‘Machinery  and
vehicles’, France's share in total imports from the USA was
reduced by 3.1 pp and the United Kingdom by 2.0 pp. The
Other Member States' share in total imports from the USA
was reduced by 1.4 pp.

Imports  from  Russia  grow  boosted  by
Energy

EU-27  imports  from  Russia  grew  at  an  annual  rate  of
21.6%,  from  EUR  35.9  Bn  to  EUR  140.8  Bn.  The  rise  is
mainly  explained  by  the  increased  trade  in  petroleum
products. These made up just over one half of imports from
Russia in 1999 and just over two thirds in 2006. Russia’s
share in total EU-27 imports rose from 4.8% to 10.4% and,
from being fifth in 1999, Russia became the EU-27's third
provider of imports in 2005. Between 1999 and 2006, the
share  of  EU-27  total  imports  from  Russia  rose  in  the
Netherlands  (+  6.5  pp),  Spain  (+  1.7  pp)  and  Belgium  
(+  0.5  pp)  .  The  former  may  be  explained  by  the  Nether-
lands'  major  role  as  an  importer  and  refiner  of  energy
products. The Other Member States' share in total imports
from Russia fell by 3.6 pp, Italy's by 2.1 pp and Germany's
by  1.9  pp.  Germany's  EUR  20.9  Bn  increase  in  imports
from Russia during the 1999-2006 period consisted to 56%
of ‘Energy products’, while for the United Kingdom 58% of
a  EUR  5.9  Bn  rise  in  imports  from  Russia  consisted  of
‘Energy products’.

Fig. 2.30: Extra-EU-27 imports by product group: Shares of  top-10 EU-27 Importers, 1999 and 2006 (%)

9991

6002-

1

999

2 - 

600

1

999

2 - 

600

1

999

2-

600

1

999

2-

600

1

999

2-

600

%001

%08

%06

%04

%02

SM rehtO

airtsuA

dnaloP

nedewS

muigleB

niapS

ecnarF

ylatI

sdnalrehteN

modgniK detinU

ynamreG

%0
stcudorp dooF

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

& yrenihcaM
selcihev

TET00048 to TET00053





33

 
  
  
  
 
Chapter2_ComExt:chapter 2 15/02/2008 11:33 Page 34

2. Extra-EU-27 Trade flows

Norway  gains  in  importance  while  Japan
loses ground 

Norway  became  the  EU-27's  fourth  main  provider  of
imports in 2006. The rise is mainly attributed to increased
imports  of  petroleum  products  from  Norway,  the  value  of
which rose by around 250% between 1999 and 2006. The
United  Kingdom's  share  in  EU-27  imports  from  Norway
rose  by  9.1  pp,  due  almost  entirely  to  the  increase  in
energy product imports. Japan went from providing 10.1%
of  EU-27  total  imports  in  1999  to  5.7%  in  2006,  due
especially  to  the  fall  in  demand  from  Germany  and  the
United  Kingdom  in  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’,  which  made
up  three  quarters  of  EU-27  imports  from  Japan  in  2006
while  ‘Other  manufactured  products’  made  up  somewhat
under one sixth.

Changes in EU-27 import market shares

The strongest gains in shares of the EU-27 import market
between  1999  and  2006  were  made  by  Spain  (+2.1  pp),
Italy (+1.6 pp) and the Netherlands (+1.2 pp). Spain gained

import shares in all SITC-1 product categories, especially
in ‘Machinery and vehicles’, ‘Other manufactured products’,
‘Food products’ and ‘Energy products’. Its imports grew at
an annual rate of 14.5% between 1999 and 2006 compared
to exports, which grew at 9.0%. This contributed to Spain’s
deficit increasing at the third-highest rate in the EU-27 from
EUR  12.3  Bn  in  1999  to  EUR  51.0  Bn  in  2006.  Losing
import  market  shares  in  ‘Crude  materials’,  Italy  mainly
gained import shares in ‘Machinery and vehicles’ as well as
in  ‘Energy  products’.  This,  combined  with  a  net  fall  in
exports,  took  Italy  from  a  goods  surplus  position  of 
EUR 8.7 Bn in 1999 to a EUR 20.6 Bn deficit in 2006. The
Netherlands gained import shares in ‘Other manufactured
products’ and in ‘Chemical products’, while import shares of
‘Energy products’ fell. Shares in EU-27 total imports were
lost  between  1999  and  2006  by  the  United  Kingdom 
(-3.6 pp) and by France (-2.7 pp), ‘Manufactured products’
and  ‘Machinery  and  vehicles’  being  especially  reduced.
The  United  Kingdom's  reduction  in  imports  took  place  at
the same time as a reduction in EU-27 export share, yet it
was  insufficient  to  counter  the  growth  of  its  trade  deficit
from EUR 37.6 Bn in 1999 to EUR 70.0 Bn in 2006.

34

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11:34

Page 35

Chapter 3

Intra-EU trade 

Chapter3_ComExt:chapter3 15/02/2008

11:34

Page 36

3. Intra-EU Trade 

3. INTRA-EU TRADE 

3.1 Evolution of  trade from EU-15 to EU-27

The internal market enlarges and grows

The impressive volume of intra-European trade, which was
excluded from the analysis in Chapter 1 is covered in depth
in  this  chapter.  Total  EU-27  dispatches  (intra-EU-27
exports)  in  2006  amounted  to  close  to  EUR  2.5  Trillion,
while  total  EU-27  arrivals  (intra-EU-27  imports)  rose  to
close to EUR 2.4 Trillion. Intra-EU-27 trade was equivalent
to approximately two thirds of total EU-27 trade in 2006.

Arrivals  and  dispatches  grew  at  close  to  7.3%  annually,
between 1999 and 2006, a period which saw slower trade
between  2001  and  2003,  followed  by  strong  recovery
coupled, in 2004, with the European Union's greatest wave
of  enlargement.  In  May  2004,  ten  new  Member  States
joined  the  European  Union  to  form  the  EU-25.  This  was
subsequently enlarged to the EU-27, in January 2007, by
the accession of Bulgaria and Romania.

Intra-EU-27  trade  grows  relatively  less  than
extra-EU-27

The  growth  rates  of  arrivals  and  dispatches  were  slightly
below the annual average growth rates displayed by extra-
EU-27 imports (8.9%) and exports (7.8%) over the period,
reflecting  the  growing  internationalisation  of  the  EU-27’s
trade in goods. Throughout, a higher share of total exports
were made intra-EU-27 than were total imports made intra-
EU-27,  these  shares  standing  at  68.3%  and  64.1%
respectively in 2006. The shares of dispatches and arrivals
in total exports and imports respectively both described a
cyclical  pattern,  peaking  momentarily  in  2003,  yet
displaying a gradual downward drift, as extra-EU-27 trade
grew  more  strongly.  Intra-EU-27  dispatches  made  up
between  67.8%  and  69.1%  of  total  exports,  while  arrivals
fluctuated somewhat more, making up between 63.5% and
66.2% of imports between 1999 and 2006.

Fig. 3.1: Intra-EU-27 dispatches and arrivals, extra-EU-27 exports and imports, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

0052

0002

0051

0001

005

0

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

72-UE-artnI sehctapsiD
72-UE-artxE stropxE

72-UE-artnI slavirrA
72-UE-artxE stropmI

TET00038, TET00039

While extra-EU-27 exports and imports of goods may differ,
summing to a surplus or deficit which in turn is balanced by
trade in services or capital flows, the two intra-EU-27 flows
should balance, as they theoretically describe the same set

of  transactions:  all  dispatches  are  arrivals,  be  it  in  other
Member States. For the reasons detailed in the box below,
and  as  can  be  seen  in  the  graph,  an  asymmetry  exists
between the two entities.

36



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Page 37

3. Intra-EU Trade

Intra-EU statistical discrepancies

In theory, Member States’ intra-EU statistics are easily compared – in particular if the COMEXT source is used rather than national figures,
since:
• The data to be compared are drawn up on the basis of a broadly common methodology and common definitions;
• The problem of the FOB and CIF valuations generally plays a smaller role in view of the geographical context and the structure of intra-
Community trade;
• Given the rules for determining reference periods, time delays should not have a such a large impact - at least on annual results;
• The trading partner for arrivals is always the Member State of consignment, not the country of origin of the goods.

However, since the Intrastat system came into operation in 1993, bilateral comparisons have revealed major and persistent discrepancies
in Member States’ intra-EU trade statistics. The main reasons are:
• A system of thresholds which makes it possible to exempt approx. 80% of operators (especially small and medium-sized  enterprises)
from statistical formalities. For a given transaction, therefore a company might be required to provide statistical information in one Member
State, whereas its supplier or customer in another Member State is exempted. The imbalance caused by the thresholds can be reduced
at a global level by means of adjustments. Since January 2005 the principle of full coverage is in force which implies that Member States
should estimate undeclared trade (including trade below threshold).
• Late or non-response by certain companies is a serious weakness in the Intrastat system. The majority of Member States try to offset
the loss of coverage by means of adjustments (ranging from less than 1% to 14% of the trade value).
• Application  of  confidentiality  at  national  level:  it  is  possible  that  an  operation  is  not  published  by  one  of  the  two  partners  because  of
statistical confidentiality but is by the other. However, the application of confidentiality procedures should not generally affect the results
for total trade.
•  Discrepancy  between  the  date  of  registration  of  a  transaction  as  a  dispatch  in  one  Member  State  and  the  date  on  which  the  same
transaction is recorded as an arrival in another. In practice, the reference month is generally the month in which the goods are exchanged
or, at worst, the following month. However, misapplication of the rules and delays in the data processing can have a non-negligible impact
on monthly statistics.
•  Misclassification  of  products  under  one  of  over  10  000  sub-headings  in  the  Combined  Nomenclature.  The  result  can  be  errors  and
discrepancies at the most detailed level.
• Specific movements for which, in the absence of common rules, national practices diverge. 
•  Valuation  of  transactions,  particularly  the  use  of  different  methods  for  calculating  the  statistical  value  of  dispatches  (FOB  value)  and
arrivals (CIF value).
• Triangular trade. In the intra-EU context triangular trade is said to exist in the case of a company in Member State A which sells goods
to a company in Member State B, which in turn sells them to a company in Member State C, although the goods are "physically" forwarded
only once - from A to C. In cases such as this, intra-Community trade statistics should record a dispatch from A bound for C, and an arrival
in C of goods from A. There is, however, a considerable risk that A or C will regard Member State B as its trading partner.
Eurostat  uses  dispatches  as  the  more  reliable  measure  of  total  intra-EU  trade  as,  at  aggregated  levels,  total  dispatches  have  better
coverage than total arrivals.

Fig. 3.2: Intra-EU-27 dispatches by main declaring

Member State, 2006 (%)

Fig. 3.3: Intra-EU-27 dispatches by SITC product  group,

2006 (%)

Other
19%

Germany
22%

New MS 12 *
11%

Italy
8%

Netherlands
12%

France
10%

Belgium
9%

United
Kingdom
9%

Machinery & 
Vehicles
40%

* 'New MS 12' = Member States that joined the EU in the 2004 and 2007 enlargements

TET00039





Food Products
8%

Crude
Materials
3%

Energy
Products
6%

Chemical
products
15%

Other
Manufactured
Products
28%

37

Chapter3_ComExt:chapter3 15/02/2008

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Page 38

3. Intra-EU Trade 

Dispatches  are  shown  above,  broken  down  by  main
exporting  Member  State  as  well  as  by  SITC-1  product
group.  In  shares  similar  to  those  in  total  extra-EU-27
exports,  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  and  ‘Other  manufactured

products’  made  up  over  two  thirds  of  intra-EU-27
dispatches in 2006. The table shows the breakdown of total
intra-EU-27 dispatches in 1999 and 2006, as well as their
growth  rates  in  individual  Member  States  between  1999

Tab. 3.4: Intra-EU-27 dispatches by declaring Member State, 1999 and 2006 (EUR Bn and %)

1999
(EUR Bn)

2006
(EUR Bn)

Share of 
Intra-EU-27
dispatches
2006 (%)

Average annual 
growth rate 
1999-2006 (%)

EU-27
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany
Estonia
Ireland
Greece
Spain
France
Italy
Cyprus
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Hungary
Malta
Netherlands
Austria
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom

TET00039

1528.4
132.3
2.1
21.8
33.5
334.0
1.9
45.0
6.9
72.1
199.5
141.4
0.2
1.3
1.9
6.8
19.8
0.9
168.2
47.3
21.0
19.4
5.8
5.9
8.6
25.9
49.9
155.1

2489.1
224.1
6.9
64.8
52.4
564.5
5.0
56.3
10.5
116.3
254.7
197.4
0.8
3.6
7.1
16.3
46.9
1.1
292.2
81.2
69.3
26.7
18.2
12.7
28.9
35.2
70.6
225.5

100.0
9.0
0.3
2.6
2.1
22.68
0.2
2.3
0.4
4.67
10.2
7.9
0.0
0.1
0.3
0.7
1.9
0.0
11.7
3.3
2.8
1.1
0.7
0.5
1.2
1.4
2.8
9.1

7.2
7.8
18.3
16.8
6.6
7.8
14.4
3.3
6.2
7.1
3.6
4.9
18.4
15.9
20.7
13.5
13.1
2.3
8.2
8.0
18.6
4.7
17.6
11.5
18.9
4.4
5.1
5.5

The world’s largest open market

With  the  two  most  recent  enlargements,  the  European
Union has grown into the EU-27, the world’s largest open
market.  Today’s  27  members  benefit  in  many  ways
including  the  proximity  of  export  markets,  barrier-free

distribution  and  integrated  transport  networks,  the  ready
availability  of  quality  goods  at  competitive  prices  and
reduced  political  risk  in  trade.  The  EU-27‘s  exchanges
have further been facilitated by the euro’s implementation
by twelve Member States in 2001.

38

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From EU-15 to EU-27

The  dispatches  of  the  EU-15  Member  States  went  from
making  up  84.9%  of  intra-EU-27  dispatches  in  2002,  to
80.1% in 2006. As was underlined in Chapter 1, it is difficult
to compare the European Union in its varying dimensions.
Yet, taking the EU-27 countries as being the destination of
all  Member  State’s  dispatches,  even  before  accession,
facilitates comparison.

Three groups display different growth rates

Member  States’  average  annual  GDP  and  intra-EU-27
dispatches  growth  rates  between  1999  and  2006  are
depicted  below.  Today’s  27  Member  States  are  grouped
according to the dates of their accession to the European
Union: previous to 2004 (the members of EU-15), the ten
members  that  joined  on  the  occasion  of  the  2004
enlargement, to form the EU-25, and the two members that
joined on the occasion of the 2007 enlargement to form the
present-day EU-27.

3. Intra-EU Trade

Fig. 3.5: From EU-15 to EU-27: Intra-EU dispatches -

2002, 2004 & 2006 (EUR Bn)

EU-15

EU-25

EU-27

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

2002

2004

2006

TET00004, TET00039

New  Members  benefit 
development

from  export-led

Intra-EU-27 
enlargement

trade  grows  boosted  by

While  both  indicators  appear  to  display  some  correlation,
growth  rates  in  dispatches  were,  in  most  cases,  above
those of GDP. From 1999 to 2006, EU-27 GDP grew at a
yearly average 4.4%. The three groups of Member States
however  clearly  displayed  different  growth  rates:  the  ten
EU-15  Member  States’  median  annual  GDP  growth  rate
was  4.5%,  that  of  the  ten  Member  States  that  joined  in
2004  was  10.5%,  and  that  of  the  two  that  joined  in  2007
13.7%.  As  was  noted  in  Chapter  2,  the  ten  central
European new Member States also displayed the greatest
differentials between extra-EU-27 export and import growth
rates.

Reflecting strong and sustained intra-EU-27 trade growth,
EU-27  dispatches  grew  by  7.2%  yearly  on  average
between 1999 and 2006. The median yearly growth rate of
the  EU-15  Member  States’  dispatches  was  6.2%,  which
compares  with  a  median  average  growth  rate  of 
intra-EU-27  dispatches  of  16.4%  over  the  period,  in  the
group of ten new Member States that joined in 2004, and of
18.0% in the two Member States that joined in 2007.

Fig. 3.6: EU-27 and Member State intra-EU-27 dispatches and GDP annual average growth rate, 1999 to 2006 (%)

PDG

sehctapsiD

%02

%51

%01

%5

%0

72UE

EDESTATIRFEBKDTPIFKULN*LEULSEEI

TMISYCLPUHZCKSTLVLEE

GBOR

* EL: GDP subject to revision



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39

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3. Intra-EU Trade 

3.2 Intra-EU-27 in total trade

Close to two thirds of EU-27 trade intra-EU in
2006

Close  to  two  thirds  of  the  EU-27’s  total  foreign  trade  was
carried out within the Union in 2006. The ratio measuring
the weight of intra-EU-27 trade (dispatches plus arrivals) in
the  individual  Member  States’  total  trade  ranged  between
83.1% in the Czech Republic and 58.6% in Italy. A Member

State's  being  landlocked  means  that  it  trades  more  intra-
EU-27,  for  example  because  its  access  to  world  markets
for  goods  via  sea  way  is  reduced.  The  Czech  Republic,
Slovakia  and  Luxembourg  thus  carried  out  a  higher
proportion  of  their  trade  intra-EU-27  in  2006.  In  contrast,
trading  further  afield,  Member  States  at  the  bottom  of  the
table were traditional sea-faring nations.

Tab. 3.7: Share of  Intra-EU-27 trade in total EU-27 trade, by declaring Member State, 2006 (%)

INTRA TRADE

EU-27
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Luxembourg
Portugal
Austria
Poland
Latvia
Belgium
Hungary
Slovenia
Denmark
Estonia
Cyprus
France
Romania
Ireland
Netherlands
Spain
Sweden
Germany
Lithuania
Malta
Finland
United Kingdom
Bulgaria
Greece
Italy

Dispatches
2489.1
64.8
28.9
16.3
26.7
81.2
69.3
3.6
224.1
46.9
12.7
52.4
5.0
0.8
254.7
18.2
56.3
292.2
116.3
70.6
564.5
7.1
1.1
35.2
225.5
6.9
10.5
197.4

Arrivals
2407.4
59.8
27.7
14.9
40.2
89.6
72.9
7.0
201.4
42.8
14.9
49.5
7.8
3.8
293.4
25.8
39.6
164.9
153.8
70.4
461.4
9.6
2.2
35.0
283.0
9.3
28.9
198.2

Total
4896.4
124.6
56.5
31.3
66.9
170.7
142.2
10.6
425.4
89.6
27.6
101.9
12.8
4.5
548.1
44.0
95.9
457.1
270.1
141.0
1025.8
16.8
3.2
70.2
508.4
16.3
39.4
395.6

Share of 
Intra in Total 
trade (%)

66.1
83.1
81.0
79.3
76.4
76.4
75.6
75.1
74.3
74.3
73.3
71.5
70.8
68.9
67.1
66.0
65.5
65.3
65.0
64.6
63.7
63.0
60.9
60.4
60.3
60.2
58.8
58.6

TET00038, TET00039

The  same  ratio  for  dispatches  and  arrivals  is  analysed  in
detail on the following page. The way in which the share of
intra-EU-27  in  total  trade  changes  over  time  tells  us  a  lot
about  the  competitiveness  of  Member  State’s  exports  on

European and world markets. Trends also reflect improved
trading  conditions  such  as  the  reduced  political  risk  with
recent EU-27 joiners and the reduced financial uncertainty
brought on by the introduction of the euro.

40

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3. Intra-EU Trade

Fig. 3.8: Share of  dispatches in total exports, by declaring Member State, 1999 and 2006 (%) 

EU-27
Luxembourg
Slovakia
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Hungary
Poland
Portugal
Belgium
Austria
Latvia
Spain
Denmark
Romania
Cyprus
Slovenia
Estonia
France
Ireland
Germany
Lithuania
Greece
United Kingdom
Italy
Sweden
Bulgaria
Finland
Malta

2006

1999

0

20

40

60

80

100

Accession confirms new Member States’ growth

Extra-EU-27  exports  grew  faster  (7.8%  annually)  than  did  intra-EU-27
dispatches (7.2%) from 1999 to 2006, resulting in the share of intra-EU-27
dispatches  in  total  EU-27  exports  falling  from  69.1%  in  1999  to  68.3%  in
2006. This ratio described a cyclical, downward trend, peaking in 2003 and
rising again from 2005 to 2006.

While  the  share  of  intra-EU-27  dispatches  in  total  exports  fell  less  in  the 
EU-15  Member  States,  the  group  of  twelve  new  (2004  and  2007
enlargements) Member States’ average share of intra-EU-27 dispatches in
total  exports  fell  more,  from  81.4%  to  78.2%.  Over  the  period,  all  EU-15
Member  States  except  for  the  United  Kingdom  (+2.2  pp),  Luxembourg 
(+2.0 pp) and Denmark (+0.1 pp) saw a reduction. The group of twelve new
Member States’ total exports grew at 17.1% yearly on average, their extra-
EU-27  exports  expanding  at  an  impressive  yearly  19.8%  and  their 
intra-EU-27 dispatches at 16.4%.

Observed  swings  in  the  new  Member  States’  shares  of  trade  carried  out
intra- and extra-EU-27, in an initial phase, reflect their increased access to
the  intra-European  market  brought  on  by  accession,  followed  in  a  latter
phase by the new Member States’ acquisition of export markets beyond the
EU-27’s  boundaries.  Over  the  entire  period,  in  some  of  the  new  Member
States such as Cyprus (+11.8 pp), Bulgaria (+2.1 pp) and Malta (+1.3 pp),
the share of intra-EU-27 dispatches in total exports rose while, in contrast,
the  ratio  sometimes  fell  strongly  in  Estonia  (-19.7  pp),  Lithuania 
(-10.2 pp), Hungary (-5.5 pp), Latvia (-5.2 pp) and Slovenia (-5.2 pp),. 

Fig. 3.9: Share of  arrivals in total imports, by declaring Member State, 1999 and 2006 (%) 

EU-27
Czech Republic
Austria
Slovenia
Latvia
Slovakia
Portugal
Estonia
Poland
Denmark
Belgium
Luxembourg
Sweden
Hungary
France
Cyprus
Ireland
Malta
Finland
Germany
Romania
Lithuania
Spain
Bulgaria
United Kingdom
Greece
Italy
Netherlands

2006

1999

0

20

40

60

80

100

EU-27 internal market ensures quality and reduced risk

Between  1999  and  2006,  total  EU-27  imports  grew  faster  (7.9%  annually)
than  total  EU-27  exports  (7.4%).  Extra-EU-27  imports  grew  more  (8.9%)
than intra-EU-27 arrivals (7.4%), causing the share of intra-EU-27 arrivals in
total EU-27 imports to decline. The ratio fell as in the case of exports, from
66.2% in 1999 to 64.1% in 2006, describing a cyclical downward trend and
temporarily peaking at 66.1% in 2003.

The  older  EU-15  Member  States’  intra-EU-27  arrivals  grew  at  an  average
rate of 6.7%. Yet, their share of intra-EU-27 arrivals in total imports fell from
65.8% in 1999 to 63.1% in 2006. Reflecting the import of higher volumes of
goods from cheaper sources, together with an increased energy import bill,
all EU-15 Member States except for Ireland (+5.5 pp), the United Kingdom
(+  3.5  pp)  and  France  (+0.3  pp)  displayed  a  lower  share  of  intra-EU-27
arrivals  in  total  imports  in  2006  compared  to  1999,  particularly  Greece 
(-12.6 pp) and Luxembourg (-12.1 pp).

In comparison, while the group of twelve new Member States’ total imports
grew at an average annual 15.0%, their share of intra-EU-27 arrivals in total
imports  rose  from  72.0%  in  1999  to  72.4%  in  2006.  Especially  in  Cyprus
(+9.8  pp)  and  Bulgaria  (+6.0  pp),  the  share  of  intra-EU-27  arrivals  in  total
imports rose in ten out of twelve of the new Member States between 1999
and 2006, reflecting new access to neighbouring markets as well as rising
purchasing  power.  Romania  (-5.6  pp)  and  Hungary  (-2.0  pp)  however
imported proportionally more from extra-EU-27.



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3. Intra-EU Trade 

Tab. 3.10: Share of  Intra-EU-27 dispatches in total EU-27 exports, by SITC product group, 2006 (%)

stcudorp dooF

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

 & yrenihcaM
selcihev

5.77
9.68
3.65
9.88
6.47
0.28
3.36
7.77
2.17
0.28
1.27
8.07
0.76
1.56
5.46
6.89
4.47
8.11
1.28
3.47
5.87
2.57
2.66
0.56
4.19
7.55
2.17
7.56

6.37
4.18
7.05
5.19
0.56
7.47
9.96
5.17
6.25
2.46
8.08
5.75
4.06
8.78
4.37
8.39
7.88
5.78
1.28
3.18
3.88
1.97
1.24
5.56
5.29
7.26
4.07
0.35

5.37
7.97
8.81
3.79
6.78
7.67
3.02
6.27
3.82
6.14
6.96
4.34
1.47
8.46
3.16
0.001
8.45
2.23
1.48
1.69
9.78
4.34
1.23
0.77
7.79
6.27
2.07
1.47

1.66
3.17
8.04
9.97
6.16
3.56
7.95
0.26
5.17
6.36
7.36
9.36
1.44
7.95
7.86
1.19
2.66
4.27
8.67
7.56
0.86
7.28
8.34
1.84
1.58
5.65
0.75
6.95

0.07
0.57
7.27
1.58
7.47
9.76
4.57
6.65
5.86
3.27
6.86
1.16
5.67
0.67
5.47
2.68
0.58
9.96
4.08
5.37
5.97
5.38
0.28
4.07
7.88
4.76
4.56
4.75

8.56
0.08
7.76
4.58
1.36
2.95
0.97
6.26
9.96
5.47
9.26
1.95
7.97
9.06
9.74
5.19
6.97
1.44
0.77
0.07
8.87
8.47
1.77
4.37
8.38
0.64
8.35
8.56

72-UE
muigleB
airagluB
cilbupeR hcezC
kramneD
ynamreG
ainotsE
dnalerI
eceerG
niapS
ecnarF
ylatI
surpyC
aivtaL
ainauhtiL
gruobmexuL
yragnuH
atlaM
sdnalrehteN
airtsuA
dnaloP
lagutroP
ainamoR
ainevolS
aikavolS
dnalniF
nedewS
modgniK detinU

Specialisation  in  Machinery  &  vehicles  and
Chemical products

Shares  of  Member  States’  intra-EU-27  dispatches  in  their
total 2006 exports are presented by SITC-1 product group.
The  ratio  depends  on  a  variety  of  factors  such  as  natural
endowments, geographical location, labour costs, industrial
tradition  and  specialisation.  Reaching  68.3%  on  average
for all products in 2006, the shares of goods exported intra-
EU-27 by the EU-27 ranged between 65.8% in ‘Machinery
& vehicles’ and 77.5% in ‘Food products’. The latter as well
as  ‘Crude  materials’,  are  categories  of  bulky  products,
which  are  exported  profitably  over  shorter  distances  and
thus  more  widely  intra-EU-27.  In  contrast,  goods  that  are
exported  further  afield  such  as  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  as
well  as  ‘Chemical  products’  (66.1%)  display  a  low  ratio
suggesting  greater  EU-27  specialisation  in  international
markets for those products.

Ratios vary with world cycles 

By product group, the shares of intra-EU-27 dispatches in
total  exports  ranked  in  a  quasi-unchanged  order  between

1999  and  2006.  This  emphasizes  the  continuity  of
specialisation.  Reflecting  a  strong  expansion  in  the
product’s exports extra-EU-27, the share of ‘Machinery and
vehicles’ dispatched intra-EU-27, fell from 67.1% in 1999 to
64.6% in 2005, cyclically peaking in 2003, then rising again
to  65.8%  in  2006.  Due  especially  to  increasing  demand
from  rapidly  developing  countries,  strong  rises  in  ‘Crude
material’  prices  attracted  exports  extra-EU-27  and  the
share of ‘Crude materials’ dispatched intra-EU-27 fell from
75.9% in 1999 to 73.6% in 2006.

New Member States gain from accession

The  twelve  new  (2004  and  2007  enlargements)  Member
States’  export-share  ratios  show  clear  signs  of  their
accession  to  the  European  Union.  For  example,  the  new
Member States’ share of ‘Food product’ exports sold intra-
EU-27 rose from 65.4% in 1999 to 76.3% in 2006, most of
that  rise  taking  place  between  2003  and  2004,  shortly
before  the  EU’s  largest  enlargement.  As  new  export
markets  were  then  discovered  extra-EU-27,  a  declining
share of the new Member States’ total exports was bound
intra-EU-27. 

42

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Tab. 3.11: Share of  Intra-EU-27 arrivals in total EU-27 imports, by SITC product group, 2006 (%)

dooF
stcudorp

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

3.47
0.57
4.25
2.29
0.66
5.87
8.98
3.78
0.18
1.36
5.97
3.77
3.97
3.78
1.97
8.59
2.19
4.58
9.36
7.48
4.67
6.08
2.55
8.07
8.29
7.28
1.86
5.86

3.75
6.56
5.42
1.56
0.67
2.46
4.74
1.56
7.05
0.64
4.26
2.35
5.66
6.15
7.74
1.29
6.66
6.57
4.44
8.97
3.45
4.66
4.83
4.46
5.06
2.64
0.46
4.84

8.23
1.17
1.85
1.43
5.43
6.04
9.33
9.07
3.6
5.11
9.33
9.8
0.14
8.63
7.3
0.001
5.32
3.79
0.93
7.76
4.12
4.62
8.7
7.66
0.72
6.12
2.74
0.02

0.77
6.18
5.77
0.19
5.58
6.87
8.78
9.96
8.38
9.77
4.57
8.67
9.18
0.28
0.48
7.68
9.68
3.67
8.36
6.97
8.78
8.88
5.77
7.38
6.98
4.28
9.87
2.66

rehtO
erutcafunam
selcitra d
1.56
8.06
2.16
6.78
0.17
9.46
5.08
2.27
4.46
4.46
1.37
2.65
6.27
8.67
4.97
7.98
8.38
7.07
8.45
1.48
9.28
9.28
1.67
2.97
9.08
8.57
5.96
0.74

72-UE
muigleB
airagluB
cilbupeR hcezC
kramneD
ynamreG
ainotsE
dnalerI
eceerG
niapS
ecnarF
ylatI
surpyC
aivtaL
ainauhtiL
gruobmexuL
yragnuH
atlaM
sdnalrehteN
airtsuA
dnaloP
lagutroP
ainamoR
ainevolS
aikavolS
dnalniF
nedewS
modgniK detinU

3. Intra-EU Trade

 & yrenihcaM
selcihev

1.96
4.47
8.86
2.38
7.67
7.36
4.38
3.85
1.46
8.67
2.67
5.57
6.37
5.98
9.28
7.64
0.96
2.65
0.44
2.18
4.97
4.88
4.27
6.18
2.58
8.17
6.57
6.56

Global  expansion 
intra-EU-27 arrivals

reduces  share  of 

The  share  of  arrivals  purchased  intra-EU-27  tended
downwards  from  66.2%  in  1999  to  64.1%  in  2006.
Describing a cyclical pattern, the ratio rose to close to 66%
from  2002  to  2004,  as  lower  demand  caused  a  drop  in
imports from extra-EU-27, but also as the ten new Member
States  (2004  enlargement)  contributed  to  increased 
levels  of  intra-EU-27  imports.  The  ranking  of  SITC-1
product  groups’  intra-EU-27  import  ratios  was  stable
throughout  the  period,  ranging  from  ‘Energy  products’
(32.8%)  and  ‘Crude  materials’  (57.3%)  to  ‘Food  products’
(74.3%) and ‘Chemical products’ (77.0%).

High energy imports come from extra-EU-27

‘Crude  materials’  and  ‘Energy  products’  were  the  only
product groups imported in lower proportions than average
from  intra-EU-27  sources.  As  opposed  to  exports,  the 
EU-27’s low weight as a source of those imports reflects its
low  relative  endowment  in  products  from  those  groups.
Shares  of  ‘Energy  product’  imports  made  intra-EU-27  in
2006  by  Lithuania  (3.7%)  and  Romania  (7.8%),  for

example,  are  explained  by  the  two  Member  States’  being
bound by import agreements extra-EU-27, formed previous
to their EU-27 accession. In contrast, being landlocked and
not  disposing  of  refining  capacity,  Luxembourg  imported
the entirety of its ‘Energy products’ intra-EU-27.

Twelve  new  Member  States’  intra-EU-27
imports surge with accession

The  new  Member  States’  shares  of  imports  made 
intra-EU-27  displayed  a  clear  “accession  effect”  as  their
intra-EU-27-import shares of a number of SITC-1 product
groups  described  a  surge  coinciding  with  the  wave  of
accession  in  2004. This  was  particularly  noticeable  in  the
case  of  ‘Food  products’,  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  and
‘Energy  products’,  their  time-series  displaying  a  one-off
upward  step.  In  some  cases  as,  for  example,  that  of  the
imports of ‘Other manufactured products’, shares then fell
moderately  after  2004  as  substitute  sources  of  similar
goods were preferred extra-EU-27. Coupled with the rise in
shares  of  ‘Food  products’  exported  intra-EU-27,  recorded
above,  intra-EU-27  shares  of  the  twelve  new  Member
States’ ‘Food product’ imports rose from 63.2% in 1999 to
80.0% in 2006.



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43

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3. Intra-EU Trade 

3.3 Main traders: flows and balances

Fig. 3.12: Top-10 intra-EU-27 exporters, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

006

005

004

003

002

001

0

ynamreG

sdnalrehteN

ecnarF

detinU
modgniK

muigleB

ylatI

niapS

airtsuA

nedewS

dnaloP

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

TET00039

German dispatches forge ahead

Having digested re-unification and completed some major
internal  reforms,  Germany  drew  benefit  from  the  global
upswing  after  2003.  Similar  to  its  exports  extra-EU-27,  its
dispatches grew annually at 7.8%, compared to an EU-27
average of 7.2%. France conceded its position as second
intra-EU-27 exporter to the Netherlands. Describing a more

Fig. 3.13: Top-10 intra-EU-27 importers, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

pronounced cyclical path, the United Kingdom was fourth-
main  exporter  intra-EU-27  again  in  2006,  having  lost
ground to Belgium and Italy between 2002 and 2006. With
its  dispatches  growing  at  18.6%,  the  highest  rate  among
the  top  ten  intra-EU-27  exporters,  Poland  rose  from
fourteenth  intra-EU-27  exporter  in  1999  to  tenth  in  2006,
close behind Sweden.

005

004

003

002

001

0

TET00039

44

ynamreG

ecnarF

modgniK detinU

muigleB

ylatI

sdnalrehteN

niapS

airtsuA

dnaloP

nedewS

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002





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Page 45

Arrivals  driven  by  household  demand  and
export activity

from  households  as  well  as  demand 

Having  stagnated  during  two  years,  German  arrivals  led
the  intra-EU-27  pack  again  after  2002,  driven  by  strong
for
demand 
intermediary goods. France’s arrivals grew at 5.4%, below
the  7.4%  EU-27  average  over  the  period,  yet  above  the
rate of growth of its dispatches of 3.6%. As in the case of
its  dispatches,  the  United  Kingdom’s  intra-EU-27  arrivals
displayed a more pronounced cyclical path than did other
Member States, and they rose more sharply between 2005
and  2006.  Buoyant  demand  in  Poland  contributed  to  its
arrivals growing at an annual rate of 13.0%, making into the
ninth-main intra-EU-27 importer in 2006.

Intra-EU-27 
Netherlands and Germany

surpluses  grow 

in 

the

Describing a cyclical pattern, the Netherlands’ intra-EU-27

3. Intra-EU Trade

goods  surplus  reached  EUR  127.3  Bn  in  2006.  Together
with  its  EUR  90.7  Bn  deficit  extra-EU-27,  this  reflects  the
Netherlands’ role as an importer extra-EU-27, typically by
sea way, and a re-exporter, intra-EU-27. Belgium similarly
displayed a EUR 22.7 Bn surplus in its intra-EU-27 trade in
goods  in  2006,  coupled  with  a  EUR  10.8  Bn  deficit 
extra-EU-27.  Endowed  with  a  competitive  export-oriented
industry, Germany recorded a steadily growing intra-EU-27
surplus,  which  rose  from  EUR  40.3  Bn  in  1999  to 
EUR 103.1 Bn in 2006. Germany also was EUR 58.9 Bn in
surplus  in  its  extra-EU-27  goods  trade.  Similarly,  Ireland
recorded  a  goods  surplus  both 
intra-EU-27,  of 
EUR 16.7 Bn in 2006, and extra-EU-27, of EUR 13.7 Bn.
Driven  by  ‘Machinery  &  vehicles’  exports,  the  Czech
Republic’s intra-EU-27 exports grew by 16.8% yearly over
the  1999  to  2006  period,  matched  by  intra-EU-27  import
growth  of  16.6%.  The  two  flows  together  resulted  in  the
Czech  Republic’s  growing  intra-EU-27  goods  surplus,
which progressed from EUR 1.4 Bn in 1999 to EUR 5.0 Bn
in 2006.

Fig. 3.14: Top-5 surpluses and Top-5 deficits intra-EU-27, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

041

021

001

08

06

04

02

0

02-

04-

06-

TET00039

sdnalrehteN

ynamreG

muigleB

dnalerI

cilbupeR hcezC

lagutroP

eceerG

niapS

ecnarF

modgniK detinU

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

Deficits grow in the United Kingdom, France
and Spain

The  United  Kingdom  had  the  largest  intra-EU-27  deficit,
reaching EUR 57.5 Bn in 2006 and intensified by a drop in
‘Energy  product’  exports.  France’s  intra-EU-27  goods
deficit grew to reach EUR 38.7 Bn in 2006. Spain had the

third-largest deficit intra-EU-27, amounting to EUR 37.4 Bn
in 2006. Strong economic growth caused Spain’s intra-EU-
27 goods imports to grow faster than its exports from 2002
to  2005,  and  especially  between  2003  and  2004.  During
the  period  under  analysis,  Greece’s  intra-EU-27  goods
deficits  (EUR  18.4  Bn  in  2006)  and  Portugal’s  (EUR  13.4
Bn) also grew, although at lower rates.



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45

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3. Intra-EU Trade 

3.4 Intra-EU-27 trade by main partner and product

Fig. 3.15: Intra-EU-27 dispatches to main partners, by declaring Member State, 2006 (%)

%001

%09

%08

%07

%06

%05

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

UE rehtO
srentrap

muigleB

ylatI

detinU
modgniK

ecnarF

ynamreG

sdnalrehteNynamreG

ecnarF

detinU
modgniK

muigleB

ylatI

niapS

airtsuA

nedewS

dnaloP

SM rehtO

Proportions traded depend on country size

Smaller  economies  exported  greater  proportions 
intra-EU-27 to their main trading partners, especially when
a border was shared. Austria’s dispatches to Germany, for
example,  made  up  42%  of  its  total  intra-EU-27  exports  in
2006,  Poland’s  34%  and  the  Netherlands’  32%.  Smaller
shares of Germany’s intra-EU-27 dispatches were made to
individual  partners,  and  the  four  partners  detailed  above
together received 46% of German dispatches.

Germany gains market shares in all product
categories

Between  1999  and  2006,  Germany  improved  its  market
share  of  intra-EU-27  exports  in  each  SITC-1  product
category. Poland gained greater intra-EU-27 export shares
in  five  of  the  six  main  SITC-1  product  categories,  as  did
Other Member States taken together. France’s share fell in
the  dispatches  of  all  SITC-1  product  categories  between
1999 and 2006. 

Fig. 3.16: Intra-EU-27 dispatches by SITC product group, 1999 and 2006 - Shares by declaring Member States, 1999 and 2006 (%)

6002  -  9991

6002  -  9991

6002  -  9991

6002  -  9991

6002  -  9991

6002  -  9991

%001

%08

%06

%04

%02

%0

SM rehtO

dnaloP

nedewS

airtsuA

niapS

ylatI

muigleB

detinU
modgniK

ecnarF

sdnalrehteN

ynamreG

dooF
stcudorp

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

rehtO
derutcafunam
stcudorp

& yrenihcaM
selcihev

46



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Page 47

Fig. 3.17: Intra-EU-27 arrivals from main partners, by declaring Member State, 2006 (%)

%001

%09

%08

%07

%06

%05

%04

%03

%02

%01

%0

3. Intra-EU Trade

UE rehtO
srentrap

detinU
modgniK

muigleB

ecnarF

sdnalrehteN

ynamreG

ynamreG

ecnarF

detinU
modgniK

muigleB

ylatI

sdnalrehteN

niapS

airtsuA

dnaloP

nedewS

SM rehtO

Germany main supplier of arrivals

Germany  was  proportionally 
the  main  supplier  of 
intra-EU-27 arrivals to all of the EU-27’s trading partners in
2006,  including  the  group  of  Other  Member  States  yet
excluding  Belgium,  which  imported  more  goods  from  the
Netherlands. As in the case of dispatches, one notices that
smaller  Member  States  traded  in  greater  proportions  with
the main suppliers. For example, Austria’s arrivals came to
71.6%  from  the  five  main  intra-EU-27  traders,  while
Belgium imported 74.4% and the Netherlands 74.3% from
the four other main traders.

Spain’s  and  central  European  Member
States’ arrivals shares rise

GDP  growth  between  1999  and  2006  drove  demand  for
import  goods.  This  is  visible  in  Member  States’  shares  in
total  EU-27  arrivals  rising  in  a  number  of  SITC-1  product
groups. With Spain, all ten central European new Member
States displayed higher arrivals shares in at least five of the
six  SITC  product  groups.  Spain  had  higher  shares  of
arrivals  in  all  product  groups  other  than  ‘Chemical
products’.  Poland’s  share  of  arrivals  grew  in  all  groups
excluding  ‘Energy  products’.  Bound  to  ‘Energy  product’
suppliers extra-EU-27 and possibly benefiting from energy
efficiency  gains,  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary,  Romania
and Lithuania displayed a similar pattern. 

Fig. 3.18: Intra-EU-27 arrivals by SITC product group, 1999 and 2006 - Shares by declaring Member States, 1999 & 2006 (%)

6002  -  9991

6002  -  9991

6002  -  9991

 9991

6002  -  

6002  -  9991

%001

%08

%06

%04

%02

 -  9991

6002 

SM rehtO

nedewS

dnaloP

airtsuA

niapS

sdnalrehteN

ylatI

muigleB

detinU
modgniK

ecnarF

ynamreG

%0

dooF
stcudorp

edurC
slairetam

ygrenE

slacimehC

rehtO
derutcafunam
stcudorp

& yrenihcaM
selcihev





47

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Chapter4_ComExt:chapter4 15/02/2008

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Page 49

Chapter 4

EURO area trade 

Chapter4_ComExt:chapter4 15/02/2008

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Page 50

4. EURO Area Trade

4. EURO AREA TRADE

4.1 Euro area trading partners

Years 2000 and 2006 posting the only deficits
during the reference period

Between  1999  and  2006,  the  13  countries’  euro  area 
(EA-13) exports increased at a rate of 7.8% annually while
imports increased by an average 8.5% per year. During this
observation  period,  EA-13  trade  globally  mirrored  that  of
EU-27 as a whole. Accordingly, it can be divided into three
phases.  The  first  phase,  covering  1999  and  2000  was
marked  by  the  rapid  growth  of  both  exports  and  imports.

However,  imports  growing  faster  than  exports  resulted  in
the trade balance passing from a surplus of EUR 31 Bn to
a deficit of EUR 23 Bn. Imports thereafter stabilised while
exports took a moderate upswing until 2003. This made the
trade balance turn positive again, with a surplus of EUR 98
Bn registered in 2002. During the last phase (2003-2006),
exports  and  imports  considerably  increased,  the  imports
posting an average annual growth rate of 12% compared to
9% for exports. Consequently, the goods surplus fell again
reaching a deficit of EUR 11 Bn in 2006.

Tab. 4.1: Extra-EA-13 exports, imports and trade balances by main partner, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB EDART

9991

3002

5002

6002

 latot ni erahS
31AE-artxE
 6002 ,stropxe
)%(

818

5501

9321

7731

0.001

261
631
61
31
65
52
33
72
71
71
71
11
12
9
21
542

591
761
53
03
36
43
93
13
92
52
52
21
52
31
01
223

302
581
34
44
17
64
54
43
53
53
82
61
92
61
41
593

412
991
35
65
67
95
05
43
24
93
23
81
13
91
51
144

6.51
4.41
9.3
0.4
6.5
3.4
6.3
5.2
0.3
8.2
3.2
3.1
3.2
4.1
1.1
0.23

9991

3002

5002

6002

 latot ni erahS
31AE-artxE
 6002 ,stropmi
)%(

787

431
511
73
32
44
51
33
55
61
31
71
71
91
41
21
522

789

931
111
57
84
15
72
73
25
72
91
42
13
42
91
51
882

4221

8831

0.001

351
021
811
67
85
33
24
35
23
52
72
73
62
52
02
973

661
821
341
59
26
14
74
65
93
92
03
44
82
82
22
924

0.21
2.9
3.01
9.6
5.4
0.3
4.3
1.4
8.2
1.2
2.2
1.3
0.2
0.2
6.1
9.03

 aerA oruE artxE
)31(

modgniK detinU
ASU
anihC
aissuR
dnalreztiwS
dnaloP
nedewS
napaJ
cilbupeR hcezC
yekruT
yragnuH
yawroN
kramneD
aeroK htuoS
lizarB
srehtO

9991

3002

5002

6002

13

82
12
12-
01-
21
01
0
82-
1
5
1
6-
2
5-
1
02

86

65
65
04-
81-
31
7
2
12-
1
5
0
91-
1
5-
5-
43

51

05
56
57-
23-
31
31
3
91-
4
01
1
12-
3
9-
6-
71

11-

94
17
09-
04-
51
71
2
22-
2
01
1
62-
3
9-
7-
21

TET00054 to TET00056

Trade  volume  of  the  Euro  area  13  countries
exceeded that of EU-27

The  reference  period  saw  higher  values  for  extra-EA-13
than extra-EU-27 trade, while EA-13 exports were globally
higher  than  imports.  This  situation  explains  the  surplus

observed for EA-13 between 1999 and 2005, and the lower
trade  deficit  in  2006.  Countries  such  as  the  United
Kingdom,  Sweden  and  the  new  Member  States  (with  the
exception  of  Slovenia)  are  considered  extra-EA  countries
whereas the EU-27 trade flows consider the trade between
these countries and trade with the euro area countries as
intra-EU movements.

50



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Page 51

Tab. 4.2: Main Intra- and Extra-EU partners in Extra-EA-13 trade (sum of  imports and exports), 1999 to 2006 (% share of

Extra-EA-13 total)

4. EURO Area Trade

modgniK detinU
dnaloP
nedewS
.peR hcezC
yragnuH
kramneD
ainamoR
aikavolS
airagluB
ainotsE

SU A
anihC
aissuR
dnalreztiwS
napaJ
yekruT
yawroN
aeroK htuoS
lizarB
ibarA iduaS

a

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

4.81
5.2
2.4
0.2
1.2
5.2
7.0
7.0
3.0
2.0

6.51
3.3
3.2
2.6
1.5
9.1
8.1
4.1
5.1
9.0

SRENTRAP UE-ARTNI

3.71
6.2
5.3
3.2
2.2
3.2
9.0
7.0
3.0
2.0

3.71
8.2
5.3
5.2
3.2
3.2
0.1
9.0
3.0
2.0

SRENTRAP UE-ARTXE

4.51
0.4
3.3
8.5
5.4
7.1
9.1
4.1
5.1
0.1

1.51
5.4
4.3
6.5
2.4
9.1
0.2
5.1
4.1
1.1

2.71
5.2
9.3
1.2
1.2
3.2
7.0
6.0
3.0
2.0

6.51
7.3
9.2
7.5
0.5
0.2
0.2
6.1
5.1
1.1

3.61
0.3
7.3
7.2
4.2
4.2
1.1
1.1
4.0
2.0

6.31
4.5
8.3
6.5
1.4
2.2
1.2
6.1
3.1
1.1

7.51
1.3
7.3
7.2
3.2
3.2
1.1
0.1
4.0
2.0

9.21
0.6
2.4
4.5
9.3
5.2
1.2
6.1
3.1
1.1

4.41
2.3
5.3
7.2
2.2
2.2
2.1
0.1
4.0
3.0

4.21
6.6
9.4
2.5
5.3
4.2
1.2
7.1
3.1
3.1

8.31
6.3
5.3
9.2
2.2
1.2
2.1
1.1
5.0
3.0

8.11
1.7
5.5
0.5
3.3
4.2
2.2
7.1
3.1
3.1

United  Kingdom  and  USA  major  trading
partners of Euro Area 13 countries

Russia  and  China  growing  trading  partners
of Euro Area 13 countries

Taking  imports  and  exports  together,  the  United  Kingdom
followed by the United States were the Euro Area’s biggest
trading  partners  in  2006.  Indeed,  almost  14%  of  the  total
value  of  goods  imported  and  exported  outside  the  Euro
Area were traded with the United Kingdom, while close to
12% were exchanged with the United States. Other major
trading  partners  were  China,  Russia,  Switzerland,  Poland
and Sweden.

Although  remaining  the  EA-13’s  main  partners  for  both
goods exported and imported, the United Kingdom and the
United States registered lower shares in Extra-EA-13 trade
in  2006  compared  to  1999,  while  demand  from  Russia,
China,  the  Czech  Republic,  Poland  and  Turkey  clearly
increased. Between 1999 and 2006, the EA-13 exports to
Russia  and  China  rose  by  an  annual  23%  and  19%
respectively. As for imports, Russia and China respectively
ranked  fifth  and  seventh  largest  exporters  to  EA-13  in
1999, while ranking second and fourth in 2006.

Fig. 4.3.1: Main partners, share in Extra-EA-13 exports, 1999 and 2006 (%)

9991

6002

52

02

51

01

5

0

detinU
modgniK

ASU

dnaloPdnalreztiwS

aissuR

anihC

nedewS

hcezC
.peR

yekruT

napaJ

TET00055





51

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4. EURO Area Trade

Fig. 4.3.2

Main partners, share in Extra-EA-13 imports, 1999 and 2006 (%)

9991

6002

81

61

41

21

01

8

6

4

2

0

detinU
modgniK

anihC

ASU

dnalreztiwSaissuR

napaJ

nedewS

dnaloP

hcezC
.peR

yekruT

TET00056

4.2 Extra-EA-13 trade by product

Fig. 4.4: Extra-EA-13 trade by SITC product group, 2006 (EUR Bn)

stropxE

stropmI

ecnalaB

007

006

005

004

003

002

001

0

001-

002-

003-

& yrenihcaM
selcihev

rehtO
derutcafunam
selcitra

ygrenE

slacimehC

stcudorp dooF

edurC
slairetam

ton stcudorP
deifissalc
erehwesle

TET00005 to TET00010

Products: same pattern as for EU-27 

In  terms  of  product  groups,  the  trade  pattern  of  the  Euro
Area  in  2006  was  similar  to  that  of  the  European  Union.
‘Machinery and Vehicles’ was the category of products that
was most traded outside the Euro Area in 2006, accounting
for 44% of total extra-EA-13 exports and at the same time
one  third  of  all  imports.  Moreover,  one  quarter  of 

extra-EA-13  exports  and  imports  consisted  of  ‘Other
manufactured  articles’.  The  trade  in  ‘Machinery  and
vehicles’ was not the single strong point of EA-13 trade in
2006:  the  ‘Chemicals’  product  group  registered  a  trade
surplus with the rest of the world amounting to EUR 81 Bn.
Finally, as for the European Union, the Euro Area is a clear
net  importer  of  ‘Energy’  and  ‘Crude  materials’:  in  2006,
deficits with the rest of the world amounted to EUR 247 Bn
and EUR 33 Bn respectively.

52

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Fig. 4.5.1: Extra-EA-13 and Extra-EU-27 exports by SITC

product group, 2006 (%)

Fig. 4.5.2: Extra-EA-13 and Extra-EU-27 imports by SITC

product group, 2006 (%)

4. EURO Area Trade

Machinery &
vehicles

Other
manufactured
articles

Chemicals

Food products

Energy

Crude
materials

Machinery &
vehicles

Other
manufactured
articles

Energy

Chemicals

Food products

Crude
materials

0

10

20

30

40

50

EA-13

EU-27

0

10

20

30

40

50

EA-13

EU-27

TET00057 and TET00061

TET00058 and TET00062

4.3 Extra-EA-13 trade by single Member State

In  2006,  around  70%  of  the  total  goods  exchanged
between  the  Euro  Area  and  the  rest  of  the  world  were
traded  by  Germany,  France,  Italy  and  Netherlands,  a
situation similar to that in 1999. Throughout the reference
period, the value of goods traded between all the Member

States of the Euro Area and the rest of the world increased
at a minimum rate of 7% annually, except for France where
the average annual growth rate was of 4% for exports and
5% for imports. 

Fig. 4.6.1: EA-13 Member States: share in Extra-EA-13

exports, 1999 and 2006 (%)

Fig. 4.6.2: EA-13 Member States: share in Extra-EA-13

imports, 1999 and 2006 (%)

Germany

France

Italy

Netherlands

Belgium

Spain

Austria

Ireland

Finland

Portugal

Greece

Slovenia

Luxembourg

2006

1999

Germany

Netherlands

Italy

France

Spain

Belgium

Ireland

Austria

Finland

Greece

Portugal

Luxembourg

Slovenia

2006

1999

0

10

20

30

40

0

10

20

30

40



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4. EURO Area Trade

Different profiles arise when looking at the main countries
making  up  the  Euro  Area  13.  In  2006,  as  the  biggest
exporter,  Germany  gained  relative  importance  in  exports
outside  the  Euro  Area  and  kept  its  share  in  imports  (in
absolute terms, the total value of goods imported from the
rest of the world increased by an average 8.5% per year).
With EUR 204 Bn worth of imports and EUR 134 Bn worth

of  exports  in  2006,  the  Netherlands  gained  importance  in
both Extra-EA-13 exports and imports compared to 1999.
Italy  and  France  took  similar  shares  in  extra-Euro  Area
imports  and  exports  in  2006.  But  whereas  the  relative
importance of Italy did not change much compared to 1999,
the  share  of  France  in  total  extra-EA  trade  was  clearly
lower. 

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Chapter 5

A step forward 

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5. A step forward

5. A STEP FORWARD

5.1 EU-27 and the Candidate Countries

After the two last enlargement waves (in 2004 and 2007), it
is  Turkey,  Croatia  and  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of
Macedonia  that  currently  have  the  Candidate  Country
status.  Due  to  the  inherent  characteristics  of  these
countries’  economies, 
trade  varies
considerably. 

the  volume  of 

between 1999 and 2000 (+47.5%) was entirely lost a year
later, explained by a serious financial and currency crisis in
Turkey, leading to massively reduced demand. After 2001
however,  EU-27  exports  to  Turkey,  helped  by  rapidly
increasing economic growth, have experienced steady and
very robust growth. 

EU-exports  affected  by  Turkish  financial
crisis 

Trade  with  Turkey  developed  particularly  fast  in  recent
valued  at 
years.  Whereas  EU  exports  were 
EUR  21.6  Bn 
to 
EUR  50.1  Bn  in  2006.  The  very  sharp  gain  recorded

they  amounted 

in  1999, 

The 2001 crisis in Turkey has not affected EU-imports from
that country. Between 1999 and 2006, imports experienced
two-and-a-half  fold  growth  to  reach  a  total  value  of 
EUR 41.8 million. The EU’s trade balance with Turkey has
remained  consistently  positive  throughout  the  period
observed, except for the aforementioned crisis year 2001,
when a slight deficit of EUR 0.2 billion was registered.

Fig. 5.1: EU-27 exports to Candidate Countries, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

06

05

04

03

02

01

0

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

yekruT

aitaorC

ainodecaM fo .peR valsoguY remroF

Solid increase of trade with Croatia 

Trade  with  Croatia  and  the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of
Macedonia  follows  a  far  less  spectacular  pattern,  both  in
EU  imports  and  EU  exports.  But  whereas  EU  exports  to
Croatia have steadily increased during the period observed
(from EUR 5.1 Bn in 1999 to EUR 12.4 Bn in 2006, those
to  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia  have
remained stable and fluctuated between EUR 1.3 Bn and
EUR 1.8 Bn. 

A  similar  picture  can  be  drawn  for  EU  imports:  whereas
goods  imported  from  Croatia  nearly  doubled  in  value
between  1999  and  2006  (from  EUR  2.5  Bn 
to 
EUR 4.9 Bn), imports from the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia remained at a relatively low level. Only in recent
years  have  the  EU  imports  from  this  country  seen  a
noticeable upswing (+28% between 2005 and 2006). 

Fig. 5.2: EU-27 imports from Candidate Countries, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

54

04

53

03

52

02

51

01

5

0

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

yekruT

aitaorC

ainodecaM fo .peR valsoguY remroF

56

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Throughout the period observed, the value of EU exports to
Croatia  and  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia
always  exceeded  that  of  EU  imports,  resulting  in  a

consistently positive trade balance, albeit fairly different in
absolute terms. 

5. A step forward

Fig. 5.3: EU-27 trade balance with Candidate Countries, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

41

21

01

8

6

4

2

0

2-

9991

0002

1002

2002

3002

4002

5002

6002

yekruT

aitaorC

ainodecaM fo .peR valsoguY remroF

5.6%  of  all  EU-27  exports  go  to  the  three
Candidates 

In  1999,  4.1%  of  the  total  extra-EU-27  exports  were
destined  for  the  three  Candidate  Countries.  In  2006,  the
equivalent share amounted to 5.6%. Unsurprisingly, Turkey
took the lion’s share with 4.3%. 

Looking at the shares the three Candidate Countries had in
total  extra-EU-27  imports,  the  proportion  increased  from
2.6%  in  1999  to  3.6%  in  2006. Again,  this  increase  goes
largely  to  the  account  of  Turkey,  whose  share  rose  from
2.1%  to  3.1%. Although  increasing  in  absolute  terms,  the
relative weight of Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic
of  Macedonia  in  extra-EU-27  imports  did  not  change
significantly.

Fig. 5.4.1: EU-27 exports to Candidate Countries, 1999

and 2006 (% share of  Extra-EU-27 total)

Fig. 5.4.2: EU-27 imports from Candidate Countries, 1999

and 2006 (% share of  Extra-EU-27 total)

9991

6002

0.5

5.4

0.4

5.3

0.3

5.2

0.2

5.1

0.1

5.0

0.0

5.3

0.3

5.2

0.2

5.1

0.1

5.0

0.0

9991

6002

yekruT

aitaorC

valsoguY remroF
ainodecaM fo .peR

yekruT

aitaorC

valsoguY remroF
ainodecaM fo .peR



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5. A step forward

Croatia’s trade more reliant on EU-27 than the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s

previous  years,  the  order  of  magnitude  did  not  change
significantly. 

Taking  into  account  its  geographical  location  and  the  fact
that it has borders with the EU Member States Hungary and
Slovenia,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  EU-27  is  Croatia’s
main  trading  partner.  Indeed,  in  2005,  68%  of  Croatia’s
imports  (total  value  of  EUR  10.2  Bn)  came  from 
the  EU-27  and  63%  of  Croatia’s  exports  (total  value  of 
EUR  4.5  Bn)  were  destined  to  EU  countries.  Although
these  shares  are  slightly  lower  compared  to  those  of

Trade of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia relies
on  the  EU-27  to  a  lesser  degree.  Nevertheless,  well  over
half the total value of imports and exports are traded with
the EU-27. In 2005, the EU-27 was the source of 55% of all
imports (total value of EUR 1.4 Bn) and the destination of
57% 
of 
EUR 0.9 Bn).

exports 

value 

(total 

all 

of 

Fig. 5.5.1: Croatia: exports and imports to EU-27 and rest of  the World, 2002 to 2005 (EUR Bn)

61

41

21

01

8

6

4

2

0

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

2002

3002

4002

5002

Fig. 5.5.2: Former Yugoslav Republic of  Macedonia: exports and imports to EU-27 and rest of  the World,

2002 to 2005 (EUR Bn)

srehtO

72-UE

srehtO

72-UE

0.3

5.2

0.2

5.1

0.1

5.0

0.0

58

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

2002

3002

4002

5002



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5. A step forward

EU-27  less  important  for  Turkey’s  imports,
but important nonetheless 

In  a  different  order  of  magnitude  in  absolute  terms,
Turkey’s trade has developed very quickly. In recent years,
the  relative  importance  of  the  EU-27  as  a  trading  partner

has  remained  fairly  constant.  Looking  at  2005,  it  appears
that  Turkey’s  global  exports  were 
valued  at 
EUR 58.8 Bn, 56% of which were destined to the EU-27.
Turning to the more important Turkish imports (total value
EUR  93.4  Bn),  a  share  of  45%  was  accounted  for  by  the
EU-27.

Fig. 5.5.3: Turkey: exports and imports to EU-27 and rest of  the World, 2002 to 2005 (EUR Bn)

001
09
08
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
0

srehtO

72-UE

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

stropxE

stropmI

2002

3002

4002

5002

5.2 Euro Area from 12 to 15 countries

The euro area currently consists of 13 countries. The latest
country  to  introduce  the  euro  was  Slovenia,  where  it
replaced the Slovenian Tolar on the first of January 2007. 

As Cyprus and Malta fulfil all convergence criteria and legal
requirements, the euro will be introduced in these countries
as from the first of January 2008. The decision will enlarge
the euro area from 13 to 15 Member States.

On  a  pan-European  scale,  the  economies  of  Slovenia,
Cyprus  and  Malta  are  relatively  small  and  do  not  have  a
significant  impact  on  the  euro-area  aggregates  with
regards to trade. Two effects can occur: When going from
EA-13 
(i.e.  with  Malta  and  Cyprus), 
the  EA-13  trade  with  Malta  and  Cyprus  becomes 

to  EA-15 

intra-EA-15 trade, and thus excluded from extra-EA15. This
is  the  negative  effect.  Depending  on  the  factor  that  is  of
higher influence, the effect can also be positive as the trade
of Malta and Cyprus with extra-EA partners are now (from
EA-13 to EA-15) included in extra-EA trade. 

Figure  5.6  shows  that  in  the  transition  from  EA-13  to 
EA-15, the effect for exports is negative: exports of EA-13
to  Malta  and  Cyprus  have  a  larger  value  than  exports  of
Malta  and  Cyprus  to  non-EA-15. The  effect  for  imports  is
positive: imports of Malta and Cyprus from non-EA-15 have
a  higher  value  than  imports  of  EA-13  from  Malta  and
Cyprus. Hence the trade deficit grows far more than what it
became  when  passing  from  EA-12  to  EA-13  (Slovenia
joining). 

Tab. 5.6: Extra-EA-12, 13 and 15: exports, imports and balances, 1999 to 2006 (EUR Bn)

STROPXE

STROPMI

ECNALAB

9991

3002

5002

6002

A

 launna egarev
 etar htworg
)%( 6002-9991

9991

3002

5002

6002

21-AE-artxE
31-AE-artxE
5
1-AE-artxE

6.128
2.818
9.518

4.8501
9.4501
0.2501

9.1421
1.9321
5.5321

9.9731
3.7731
2.3731

96.7
27.7
27.7

8.887
3.787
1.987

8.889
5.689
3.889

8.5221
3.4221
0.6221

1.9831
9.7831
7.9831

A
egarev
launna
 etar htworg
6002-9991
(%)
24.8
44.8
24.8

9991

3002

5002

6002

8.23
8.03
8.62

6.96
4.86
6.36

1.61
8.41
5.9

2.9-
7.01-
5.61-



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ANNEXES

DATA SOURCE

Statistics on EU trade and that of the Member States were
compiled by Eurostat using the detailed data forwarded by
the  individual  Member  States. Statistics  on  trade  of  the
Candidate  Countries  (Chapter  5)  were  compiled  by
Eurostat  using the  detailed  data  forwarded  by  those
Countries.  Whenever  possible,  data  were  extracted  from
the  datasets  available  on  the  Eurostat  website  (External
trade  long-term  indicators),  otherwise  from  the  Comext
database, the Eurostat database for external trade detailed
data. 
Statistics on the trade of the main world traders (Chapter 1)
were taken from the Comtrade database which is managed
by the United Nations.
Data were extracted in October 2007.

METHODOLOGICAL REFERENCE

External trade statistics - Metadata in SDDS format: Base
Page
http://europa.eu.int/estatref/info/sdds/en/ext/ext_base.htm

Statistics on the trading of goods - User guide (PDF)
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-
BM-06-001/EN/KS-BM-06-001-EN.PDF

SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The Eurostat code
A  code  (such  as  ‘TET00038’)  has  been  inserted  below
most graphs and tables in this publication. This code allows
the  reader  to  easily  access  the  most  recent  data  on  the
Eurostat  website  (note  that  the  data  on  the  website  are
frequently  updated  and  may  also  be  more  detailed  or  be
available in a variety of different measurement units). For
more details, consult the link entitled ‘The Eurostat code’ on
the Eurostat homepage.

EU-27 European  Union,  composition  from  1.01.2007.  It
includes 27 Member States:
Belgium  (BE),  Bulgaria  (BG),  the  Czech  Republic  (CZ),
Denmark (DK), Germany (DE), Estonia (EE), Ireland (IE),
Greece  (EL),  Spain  (ES),  France  (FR),  Italy  (IT),  Cyprus
(CY),  Latvia  (LV),  Lithuania  (LT),  Luxembourg  (LU),
Hungary  (HU),  Malta  (MT),  the  Netherlands  (NL), Austria
(AT), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Slovenia
(SI),  Slovakia  (SK),  Finland  (FI),  Sweden  (SE)  and  the
United Kingdom (UK).

EU-25 European  Union,  composition  from  1.05.2004  to
31.12.2006 (BE, CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, CY,
LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, SI, SK, FI, SE, UK).

Annexes

EU-15  European  Union,  composition  from  1.01.1995 to
30.04.2004  (BE,  DK,  DE,  IE, EL,  ES,  FR,  IT,  LU,  NL, AT,
PT, FI, SE, UK). 

EA-13 Euro area, composition from 1.01.07 to 31.12.07. It
includes 13 members:
Belgium,  Germany,  Ireland,  Greece,  Spain,  France,  Italy,
Luxembourg,  the  Netherlands, Austria,  Portugal,  Slovenia
and Finland.
Until 31.12.06 (EA-12) Slovenia was not included.
From 1 January 2008 the euro area (EA-15) also includes
Cyprus and Malta.

Candidate Countries 
Croatia
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
Turkey

GEOGRAPHICAL ZONES 2007

European Union (EU-27)
Austria
AT
Belgium
BE
Bulgaria
BG
Cyprus
CY
Czech Republic
CZ
Germany
DE
Denmark
DK
Estonia
EE
Spain
ES
Finland
FI
France
FR
United Kingdom
GB
Greece
GR
Hungary
HU
Ireland
IE
Italy
IT
Lithuania
LT
Luxembourg
LU
Latvia
LV
Malta
MT
Netherlands
NL
Poland
PL
Portugal
PT
Romania
RO
Sweden
SE
Slovenia
SI
Slovakia
SK

Non-EU Europe
Andorra
AD
Albania
AL
Bosnia and Herzegovina
BA
Belarus
BY

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Annexes

CH
FO
GI
HR
IS
LI
MD
ME
MK*
NO
RU
SM
TR
UA
VA

Switzerland
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
Croatia
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Moldova, Republic of
Montenegro
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Norway
Russian Federation
San Marino
Turkey
Ukraine
Holy See

North Africa
DZ
EG
LY
MA
TN
XC
XL

Algeria
Egypt
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Morocco
Tunisia
Ceuta
Melilla

Other African countries
Angola
AO
Burkina Faso
BF
Burundi
BI
Benin
BJ
Botswana
BW
Congo, Democratic Republic of
CD
Central African Republic
CF
Congo
CG
Côte d’Ivoire
CI
Cameroon
CM
Cape Verde
CV
Djibouti
DJ
Eritrea
ER
Ethiopia
ET
Gabon
GA
Ghana
GH
Gambia
GM
Guinea
GN
Equatorial Guinea
GQ
Guinea-Bissau
GW
British Indian Ocean Territory
IO
Kenya
KE
Comoros
KM
Liberia
LR
Lesotho
LS
Madagascar
MG
Mali
ML
Mauritania
MR
Mauritius
MU
Malawi
MW
Mozambique
MZ
Namibia
NA
Niger
NE
Nigeria
NG

RW
SC
SD
SH
SL
SN
SO
ST
SZ
TD
TG
TZ
UG
YT
ZA
ZM
ZW

Rwanda
Seychelles
Sudan
Saint Helena
Sierra Leone
Senegal
Somalia
Sao Tome and Principe
Swaziland
Chad
Togo
Tanzania, United Republic of
Uganda
Mayotte
South Africa
Zambia
Zimbabwe

North America
CA
GL
PM
US

Canada
Greenland
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
United States

Central America and Caribbean
AG
AI
AN
AW
BB
BM
BS
BZ
CR
CU
DM
DO
GD
GT
HN
HT
JM
KN
KY
LC
MS
MX
NI
PA
SV
TC
TT
VC
VG
VI

Antigua and Barbuda
Anguilla
Netherlands Antilles
Aruba
Barbados
Bermuda
Bahamas
Belize
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Haiti
Jamaica
St Kitts and Nevis
Cayman Islands
St Lucia
Montserrat
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
El Salvador
Turks and Caicos Islands
Trinidad and Tobago
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands (US)

South America
AR
BO
BR

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil

* Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations
currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

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CL
CO
EC
FK
GY
PE
PY
SR
UY
VE

Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Falkland Islands
Guyana
Peru
Paraguay
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela

Near and Middle East
AE
AM
AZ
BH
GE
IL
IQ
IR
JO
KW
LB
OM
PS
QA
SA
SY
YE

United Arab Emirates
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Georgia
Israel
Iraq
Iran, Islamic Republic of
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Oman
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syrian Arab Republic
Yemen

Other Asian countries
AF
BD
BN
BT
CN
HK
ID
IN
JP
KG
KH
KP
KR
KZ
LA
LK
MM
MN
MO
MV
MY
NP
PH
PK
SG
TH
TJ
TL
TM
TW
UZ
VN

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Brunei Darussalam
Bhutan
China, People’s Republic of
Hong Kong
Indonesia
India
Japan
Kyrgyzstan
Cambodia
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea, Republic of
Kazakhstan
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Sri Lanka
Myanmar
Mongolia
Macao
Maldives
Malaysia
Nepal
Philippines
Pakistan
Singapore
Thailand
Tajikistan
Timor-Leste
Turkmenistan
Taiwan
Uzbekistan
Viet-Nam

Annexes

Oceania and Polar regions
Antarctica
AQ
American Samoa
AS
Australia
AU
Bouvet Island
BV
Cocos Islands (or Keeling Islands)
CC
Cook Islands
CK
Christmas Island
CX
Fiji
FJ
Micronesia, Federated States of
FM
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
GS
Guam
GU
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
HM
Kiribati
KI
Marshall Islands
MH
Northern Mariana Islands
MP
New Caledonia
NC
Norfolk Island
NF
Nauru
NR
Niue
NU
New Zealand
NZ
French Polynesia
PF
Papua New Guinea
PG
Pitcairn
PN
Palau
PW
Solomon Islands
SB
French Southern Territories
TF
Tokelau
TK
Tonga
TO
Tuvalu
TV
United States Minor Outlying Islands
UM
Vanuatu
VU
Wallis and Futuna
WF
Samoa
WS

ECONOMIC ZONES 2007

ACP (excluding Nigeria already included in OPEC)
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries 
AG
AO
BB
BF
BI
BJ
BS
BW
BZ
CD
CF
CG
CI
CK
CM
CU
CV
DJ
DM
DO
ER
ET
FJ

Antigua and Barbuda
Angola
Barbados
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Benin
Bahamas
Botswana
Belize
Congo, Democratic Republic of
Central African Republic
Congo
Côte d’Ivoire
Cook Islands
Cameroon
Cuba
Cape Verde
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji



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Annexes

FM
GA
GD
GH
GM
GN
GQ
GW
GY
HT
JM
KE
KI
KM
KN
LC
LR
LS
MG
MH
ML
MR
MU
MW
MZ
NA
NE
NR
NU
PG
PW
RW
SB
SC
SD
SL
SN
SO
SR
ST
SZ
TD
TG
TL
TO
TT
TV
TZ
UG
VC
VU
WS
ZA
ZM
ZW

Micronesia, Federated States of
Gabon
Grenada
Ghana
Gambia
Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Comoros
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
Liberia
Lesotho
Madagascar
Marshall Islands
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nauru
Niue
Papua New Guinea
Palau
Rwanda
Solomon Islands
Seychelles
Sudan
Sierra Leone
Senegal
Somalia
Suriname
Sao Tome and Principe
Swaziland
Chad
Togo
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Tanzania, United Republic of
Uganda
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Vanuatu
Samoa
South Africa
Zambia
Zimbabwe

LA
MM
MY
PH
SG
TH
VN

Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Myanmar
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Viet-Nam

CIS
Commonwealth of Independent States
AM
AZ
BY
GE
KG
KZ
MD
RU
TJ
TM
UA
UZ

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan
Moldova, Republic of
Russian Federation
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan

EFTA
European Free Trade Association
CH
LI
IS
NO

Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Iceland
Norway

MEDA (excluding Algeria already included in OPEC)
Mediterranean countries in the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership
EG
IL
JO
LB
MA
PS
SY
TN
TR

Egypt
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Morocco
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Syrian Arab Republic
Tunisia
Turkey

MERCOSUR
South American Common Market
AR
PY
BR
UY

Argentina
Paraguay
Brazil
Uruguay

NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement
CA
MX
US

Canada
Mexico
United States

ASEM (excluding Indonesia already included in OPEC)
Asia-Europe Meeting
BN
CN
JP
KH
KR

Brunei Darussalam
China, People’s Republic of
Japan
Cambodia
Korea, Republic of

OPEC
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
AE
DZ
ID
IQ
IR

United Arab Emirates
Algeria
Indonesia
Iraq
Iran, Islamic Republic of

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KW
LY
NG
QA
SA
VE

Kuwait
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Nigeria
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Venezuela

SAARC
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
AF
BD
BT
IN
LK
MV
NP
PK

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Sri Lanka
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan

SITC Rev.3
Standard International Trade Classification, Revision 3
A full listing of the classification is accessible on the UN
website
(http://unstats.un.org/unsd/cr/registry/regcst.asp?Cl=14).

0 - Food and live animals

00 - Live animals other than animals of division 
03
01 - Meat and meat preparations
02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs
03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans,
molluscs and aquatic invertebrates, and
preparations thereof
04 - Cereals and cereal preparations
05 - Vegetables and fruit
06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey
07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, and
manufactures thereof
08 - Feeding stuff for animals (not including
unmilled cereals)
09 - Miscellaneous edible products and
preparations

1 - Beverages and tobacco

11 - Beverages
12 - Tobacco and tobacco manufactures

2 - Crude materials, inedible, except fuels

21 - Hides, skins and furskins, raw
22 - Oil-seeds and oleaginous fruits
23 - Crude rubber (including synthetic and
reclaimed)
24 - Cork and wood
25 - Pulp and waste paper
26 - Textile fibres (other than wool tops and other
combed wool) and their wastes (not
manufactured into yarn or fabric)
27 - Crude fertilizers, other than those of division
56, and crude minerals (excluding coal,
petroleum and precious stones)
28 - Metalliferous ores and metal scrap
29 - Crude animal and vegetable materials, not
elsewhere specified

3 - Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials

Annexes

32 - Coal, coke and briquettes
33 - Petroleum, petroleum products and related
materials
34 - Gas, natural and manufactured
35 - Electric current

4 - Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes

41 - Animal oils and fats
42 - Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined
or fractionated
43 - Animal or vegetable fats and oils,
processed; waxes of animal or vegetable origin;
inedible mixtures or preparations of animal or
vegetable fats or oils, n.e.s.

5 - Chemicals and related products, n.e.s.
51 - Organic chemicals
52 - Inorganic chemicals
53 - Dyeing, tanning and colouring materials
54 - Medicinal and pharmaceutical products
55 - Essential oils and resinoids and perfume
materials; toilet, polishing and cleansing
preparations
56 - Fertilizers (other than those of group 272)
57 - Plastics in primary forms
58 - Plastics in non-primary forms
59 - Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.
6 - Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material

61 - Leather, leather manufactures, n.e.s., and
dressed furskins
62 - Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.
63 - Cork and wood manufactures (excluding
furniture)
64 - Paper, paperboard and articles of paper
pulp, of paper or of paperboard
65 - Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s.,
and related products
66 - Non-metallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s.
67 - Iron and steel
68 - Non-ferrous metals
69 - Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.

7 - Machinery and transport equipment

71 - Power-generating machinery and equipment
72 - Machinery specialized for particular
industries
73 - Metalworking machinery
74 - General industrial machinery and
equipment, n.e.s., and machine parts, n.e.s.
75 - Office machines and automatic data-
processing machines
76 - Telecommunications and sound-recording
and reproducing apparatus and equipment
77 - Electrical machinery, apparatus and
appliances, n.e.s., and electrical parts thereof
(including non-electrical counterparts, n.e.s., of
electrical household-type equipment)
78 - Road vehicles (including air-cushion
vehicles)
79 - Other transport equipment
8 - Miscellaneous manufactured articles

81 - Prefabricated buildings; sanitary, plumbing,
heating and lighting fixtures and fittings, n.e.s.
82 - Furniture, and parts thereof; bedding,
mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and
similar stuffed furnishings

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Annexes

83 - Travel goods, handbags and similar
containers
84 - Articles of apparel and clothing accessories
85 - Footwear
87 - Professional, scientific and controlling
instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.
88 - Photographic apparatus, equipment and
supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.; watches and
clocks
89 - Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s.

9 - Commodities and transactions not classified
elsewhere in the SITC

91 - Postal packages not classified according to
kind
93 - Special transactions and commodities not
classified according to kind
96 - Coin (other than gold coin), not being legal
tender
97 - Gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores
and concentrates)

Main SITC product groups

Food products = SITC 0 + 1
Crude materials = SITC 2 + 4
Energy = SITC 3
Chemicals = SITC 5
Other manufactured articles = SITC 6 + 8 
Machinery & vehicles = SITC 7
Products not classified elsewhere = SITC 9 

66

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European Commission

Panorama of European Union trade – Data 1999-2006

Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

2008 — 66 pp. — 21 x 29.7 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-05826-4

Price (excluding VAT) in Luxembourg: EUR 15

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