According to the first estimate from Eurostat, euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in December 2018 was €176.5 billion, a decrease of 2.5% compared with December 2017 (€181.0 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €159.5 bn, a rise of 1.9% compared with December 2017 (€156.5 bn). As a result, the euro area recorded a €17.0 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2018, compared with +€24.5 bn in December 2017. Intra-euro area trade fell to €142.6 bn in December 2018, down by 1.2% compared with December 2017.

In January to December 2018, euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world rose to €2 276.3 bn (an increase of 3.7% compared with January-December 2017), and imports rose to €2 082.1 bn (an increase of 6.2% compared with January-December 2017). As a result the euro area recorded a surplus of €194.2 bn, compared with +€234.9 bn in January-December 2017. Intra-euro area trade rose to €1 941.9 bn in January-December 2018, up by 5.2% compared with January-December 2017.