The CBS noted that excluding fuel, diamonds, ships, and aircraft, Israel actually had a trade surplus in 2009 of US$2.3 billion
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported last week that Israel's trade deficit fell to US$5.1 billion in 2009, the lowest level since 1990, and less than half of the trade deficit of US$13.2 billion in 2008.
The CBS noted that excluding fuel, diamonds, ships, and aircraft, Israel actually had a trade surplus in 2009 of US$2.3 billion.
Exports of goods totaled US$41.8 billion in 2009, 18.5% less than in 2008.
Exports, according to the CBS, amounted to 86% of imports in 2009, up from 75% in 2008.
Industrial exports in 2009 accounted for 83% of total exports. High-tech exports, accounted for 51.4% of total industrial exports, totaled US$20.5 billion in 2009, US$725 million more than in 2008.
Exports of electronic components rose in 2009 by not less than 165%, but pharmaceutical exports fell by 6.7%. This was the first drop in pharmaceutical exports since 1998.
Medium high-tech exports, 28% of all industrial exports, fell by 26.8% to US$9.6 billion in 2009; medium low-technology exports fell by 34.2% to US$5.3 billion; and low technology exports fell by 14% to US$2.0 billion.
Agricultural exports totaled US$1.2 billion, boosted by exports of citrus and other fruits, although exports of flowers fell by nearly a third.
Polished and rough diamond exports fell to US$5.8 billion in 2009 from US$9.6 billion in 2008.
Import of goods total US$46.9 billion in 2009, 27.3% less than the US$64.5 billion in 2008.
Imports of investment goods (excluding ships and planes) fell 25.5% to US$7.6 billion. Imports of raw materials (excluding diamonds and fuel) fell 24.3% to US$18.4 billion, and imports of consumer goods fell 7.8%.
