Lithuania's Trade Shortfall Rises Modestly In January

(RTTNews) - Lithuania's merchandise trade deficit increased slightly in January from the previous month, data released by the Department of Statistics revealed Monday.

January's overall trade resulted in a deficit of LTL563.6 million, which was slightly higher than the LTL391.7 million shortfall seen a month earlier. In January 2013, the balance was a deficit of LTL683.9 million.

Goods exports decreased 15.1 percent month-on-month to LTL5.86 billion in January. Compared to January 2013, the value of shipments fell by 11.1 percent.

Imports dropped 12 percent sequentially to LTL6.43 billion in the beginning of the year. Year-on-year, external purchases fell by 11.7 percent.

In January, Lithuania's main export partners were Russia, Latvia, Germany and Poland. Imports came mainly from Russia, Germany, Poland and Latvia.