In 2009, the crisis has extremely diminished foreign demand also for Slovenian products. However, a slight improvement is already in sight. At the beginning of last autumn, foreign trade in goods has lagged behind the comparable last year’s results slightly less than in the first half of the year. In the latter months including September, foreign trade figures have improved somewhat. The influence of subsidies granted to stimulate new cars purchases in some of our major trading partners, has been extremely important for Slovenia, due to a strong involvement of Slovenian automotive industry and many other industrial branches in trade with these markets.

Germany remains the most important partner in Slovenian exports, with even higher share of 20.3 % in Slovenian exports of goods, compared to 19.1 % in the same period of previous year. Germany is followed by Italy with 11.6 %, Croatia (8.3 %), France (8 %), Austria (7.9 %), Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Slovakia, Netherlands and Romania. United States rank 16th, Spain 17th, while Switzerland ranks higher (20th) than a year ago. Among major Slovenian partners lowest decline has been in commodities export to France (-5.9 %) and Switzerland (-6.9 %).

The largest share of exports goes to motor cars that show a decrease of 17.9 %, compared to the previous year. Export of medicaments that come second, has decreased only for 0.9 %. Export of parts and accessories for the motor vehicles decreased for 35 %, while export of electrical energy has grown by 15.8 %. Electrical energy and electrothermic apparatuses have been ranked 4th and 5th. Next come seats with 38 % decrease in export, followed by vacuum pumps, new pneumatic tyres of rubber, petroleum oils, paper and paperboard.

Top 10 export product groups represent together 34.1 % of the total value of goods exported, which is 8 % higher share than in 2008.

More information on Slovenian exports, balance of payments and foreign investments...>>>

Source:SKEP - Economic Outlook, Analysis and Forecasts, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia