Alava’s foreign trade during the third quarter of 2004 developed in line with the climate
of recovery on international markets. Major growth was recorded for the second quarter in
a row, with increases of 28.7% in exports and 30.7% in imports.
To sum up the first nine months of the year, sales abroad amounted to 2,923.4 million
euros, representing a 30.3% increase compared to the same period in 2003. Meanwhile,
purchases abroad amounted to 1740 million euros during the same period, 23% more than
in 2003. As a result, Alava's foreign trade showed a positive balance of 1183.4 million
euros during the period in January-September 2004 and with an import-export cover ratio
of 168%, slightly above the figure for the same period in 2003, when the rate stood at 158.6%.
In accordance with the different tariff headings, the positive results of Alava's foreign
trade has been propitiated by good results in three specific headings: Firstly, transport
material (exports have grown 61.4% and imports 47.3%). Secondly, metals and their products
(with 26.3% growth in exports and 29.7% in imports) and, lastly, rubber and plastics (12.8%
and 20.2% growth, respectively).
UE-15 continues to be the main destination for Alava's export sales on foreign markets,
where, during the period January-September 2004, exports rose by 23.9% more than in the
same period in 2003, accounting for 72.3% of Alava's exports during the period. France
and Germany continued to be our main customers, with 21.1% and 19.3% of exports, followed
by the United Kingdom (8.8%), Italy (5.9%) and Portugal (4.9%). Of special interest is
the increasing importance of countries such as Japan, which, although still of little
significance (2.6%) when compared to our exports as a whole, has multiplied its purchases
during the first nine months of 2004 sevenfold.
From the point of view of imports, UE-15 is also the main origin of Alava's purchases
abroad, with 82.1% of the total, its main markets being Germany (33%), France (13.3%)
and the United Kingdom (11.8%). Major increases have also been recorded in the purchases
of countries of little significance in the overall picture, such as Japan and the USA,
which, in spite of only representing 1% and 1.9% of our imports, have increased 202.9%
and 105.7% respectively.
Economic information
Strategic information
