Milan, 18 May (LaPresse) – In March, Istat estimates that imports grew at a faster rate (+4.8%) than exports (+4.1%). The month-on-month increase in exports was higher for the EU (+4.7%) than for non-EU countries (+3.6%). In March 2026, exports grew by 7.4% year-on-year in value and by 4.2% in volume. The year-on-year growth in exports in monetary terms was stronger for EU markets (+9.6%) than for non-EU markets (+5.1%). Imports recorded an 8.0% year-on-year increase in value, affecting both the EU (+8.1%) and non-EU (+7.9%) areas; in volume terms, imports grew by 9.1%. Among the sectors contributing most to the year-on-year growth in exports are: base metals and metal products, excluding machinery and equipment (+38.6%), coke and refined petroleum products (+55.0%), motor vehicles (+15.8%), computers, electronic and optical equipment (+17.5%), pharmaceutical, chemical-medicinal and botanical products (+4.6%) and machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (n.e.c.) (+3.3%). Exports of transport equipment, excluding motor vehicles, fell year-on-year (-8.6%). Year-on-year, Switzerland (+84.6%) is the country making the largest positive contribution to national exports. Exports to France (+9.2%), Germany (+8.0%), Spain (+12.6%) and China (+23.9%) also increased; whilst those to OPEC countries (-42.9%), Turkey (-18.2%) and MERCOSUR countries (-12.4%) decreased.
Foreign trade, Istat: ‘Imports up 4.8% and exports up 4.1% in March’
Milan, 18 May (LaPresse) – In March, Istat estimates that imports grew at a faster rate (+4.8%) than exports (+4.1%). The month-on-month increase in exports was higher for the EU (+4.7%) than for non-EU countries (+3.6%). In March 2026, exports grew by 7.4% year-on-year in value and by 4.2% in volume. The year-on-year growth in exports in monetary terms was stronger for EU markets (+9.6%) than for non-EU markets (+5.1%). Imports recorded an 8.0% year-on-year increase in value, affecting both the EU (+8.1%) and non-EU (+7.9%) areas; in volume terms, imports grew by 9.1%. Among the sectors contributing most to the year-on-year growth in exports are: base metals and metal products, excluding machinery and equipment (+38.6%), coke and refined petroleum products (+55.0%), motor vehicles (+15.8%), computers, electronic and optical equipment (+17.5%), pharmaceutical, chemical-medicinal and botanical products (+4.6%) and machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (n.e.c.) (+3.3%). Exports of transport equipment, excluding motor vehicles, fell year-on-year (-8.6%). Year-on-year, Switzerland (+84.6%) is the country making the largest positive contribution to national exports. Exports to France (+9.2%), Germany (+8.0%), Spain (+12.6%) and China (+23.9%) also increased; whilst those to OPEC countries (-42.9%), Turkey (-18.2%) and MERCOSUR countries (-12.4%) decreased.
