Imports totaled NIS 22.4 billion in August and exports totaled NIS 15.5 billion
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported last week that Israel's trade deficit rose to NIS 6.8 billion in August 2011, the highest monthly figure in years, and 14% more than in July 2011.
The CBS also noted that Imports totaled NIS 22.4 billion in August (1.3% less than in July), and exports totaled NIS 15.5 billion, down 6.7%.
In January-August 2011 the trade deficit widened to NIS 54 billion from NIS 29 billion in 2010 as a whole.
Israeli high-tech exports totaled NIS 5.9 billion in August, 2.7% less than in July, and 15% less than the NIS 6.9 billion in June.
Imports of consumer products totaled NIS 1 billion in August, 16% more than in July. Food and beverages imports rose 10% to NIS 214 million, and imports of vehicles rose 14% to NIS 132 million. Altogether, imports of durable goods rose 8% to NIS 396 million.
