Imports of goods rose by 3.3% in the same period to EUR 13.526bn so that export-import ratio stood at 103.8% and trade surplus at EUR 518.6m, according to a report released by the Statistics Office.

Goods exports to EU countries surged by 6.9% and exports to other markets were up by 1.4% year-on-year in the first seven months. Imports rose by 5.7% from the EU but fell by 5.4% from other countries.

Exports in July amounted to EUR 2.123bn, up 4.8% compared to the same month a year ago. Meanwhile, imports fell by 0.5% to EUR 1.959bn. The trade surplus of EUR 164.1m was the highest this year.