Italy's foreign trade surplus increased in April from a year ago as exports grew faster than imports, the statistical office ISTAT reported on Monday.
The trade surplus rose to €4.3 billion ($5 billion) in April from €2.5 billion in the corresponding month last year. The expected surplus was €5.2 billion.
Exports climbed 8.8% annually in April, and imports were 5.5% higher.
Export growth was sustained and involved most sectors, except for pharmaceuticals, the agency said. Meanwhile, the rise in imports was mainly due to higher purchases of metals and crude oil.
Exports to non-EU countries grew 12.0%, and those to EU markets advanced 5.9%.
The seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased to €4.1 billion in April from €5 billion in March. Both exports and imports decreased by 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively, compared to the prior month.
