From totaled $2.73 billion in 1Q 2006, compare with $1.79 billion in the 1Q of 2005. The increase in the trade deficit was largely due to higher costs of imported energy products
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported last week that Israel’s trade deficit in January-April 2006 totaled $2.73 billion compared with $1.79 billion in the parallel period of 2005.
The CBS noted that the increase in the trade deficit was largely due to higher costs of imported energy products.
According to the CBS in January-April 2006 Israel imported $2.2 billion worth of energy products, compared with $1.9 billion in the parallel period of last year.
Israeli imports in January-April totaled $14.86 billion and exports totaled $12.13 billion.
In April Israel’s trade deficit totaled $958 million, the highest monthly level since May 2005. Exports totaled $2.59 billion in April, and imports totaled $3.54 billion.
Agricultural exports in January-April totaled $513 million, 2.5% more than in the parallel period of last year. Vegetable exports rose 13% and flower exports rose 8%.
Diamond exports totaled $3.1 billion, 9.3% less than in the parallel period of last year. Diamond imports were unchanged at $2.7 billion.
