EU imports from its major partners drop

EU imports from its major partner countries fell in January-May 2013 compared with January-May 2012. The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Norway and Japan (both fell by 15%) and Brazil ( by 13%), the EU's statistical office, Eurostat reported Friday. As regards to EU exports, the largest increase was registered for exports to Switzerland by 33%, and the largest fall for exports to India by 4 % during the same period. The EU deficit for energy decreased to 157.5 bn euro in January-May 2013 compared with a deficit of 178.5 bn in January-May 2012, while the surplus for manufactured goods increased to 163 bn compared with a surplus of 133.3 bn for the same period. The EU's trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in June 2013 was a 9.9 bn euro surplus, compared with a deficit of 1.0 bn in June 2012. The euro area trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in June 2013 gave a 17.3 billion euro surplus, compared with a surplus of 12.8 bn in June 2012. Meanwhile, EU annual inflation was 1.7% in July 2013, stable compared with June. A year earlier the rate was 2.5%. Euro area annual inflation was 1.6% in July 2013, stable compared with June. A year earlier the rate was 2.4%, noted Eurostat.