Romania's trade balance showed a deficit of 6.13 billion euros ($6.86 billion) in the period from January to August, EUR1.3 billion higher than a year earlier, the country's statistics board said Monday, news agency Mediafax reports.

Imports grew 6.8% in the first eight months, to EUR43.57 billion, while exports grew at a lower rate of 4%, totaling EUR37.43 billion.

Vehicles and other transport equipment made up 47.2% of Romania's exports and 37.5% of its imports in the first eight months, while other manufactured goods accounted for 32.8% of exports and 31.2% of imports.

The European Union remained Romania's main trading partner, being the source of 77.1% of the country's imports and receiving 75% of its exports.