Statistics Lithuania reports that, according to non-final data obtained from customs declarations and Intrastat reporting data, exports in I quarter 2009 totalled LTL 9.4 billion, while imports – LTL 10.5 billion. The foreign trade deficit of Lithuania made LTL 1.1 billion and was by 80.9 per cent lower than during the same period in 2008. Data on trade with EU countries were adjusted after VAT declarations’ data had been received.

In I quarter 2009, against I quarter 2008, exports and imports decreased by, respectively, 25.1 and 41.8 per cent, mineral products excluded, exports and imports decreased by, respectively, 22.9 and 43.1 per cent. Exports of goods of Lithuanian origin decreased by 26.5 per cent; mineral products excluded – by 23.8 per cent.

The major impact on the decrease in exports was made by the decrease in exports of petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (by 32.5 per cent), vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock (by 41.5 per cent), electrical machinery and equipment (by 48.5 per cent). Imports decreased due to decreased imports of crude petroleum (by 45.5 per cent), vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock (by 75.1 per cent), boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances (by 44.9 per cent). The decrease in exports and imports of mineral products was determined by price decrease of crude petroleum and petroleum products.

In March 2009, against February, exports and imports increased by, respectively, 1.0 and 7.7 per cent; seasonally adjusted, exports and imports decreased by, respectively, 12.8 and 4.7 per cent.

In I quarter 2009, the most important partners in exports were Russia (11.8 per cent), Latvia (10.0 per cent), Germany (9.2 per cent) and Estonia (6.5 per cent). The most important partners in imports were Russia (30.3 per cent), Germany (11.7 per cent), Poland (9.6 per cent) and Latvia (6.1 per cent).

In I quarter 2009, the most significant share in exports fell within mineral products (21.2 per cent), products of the chemical or allied industries (10.9 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment (9.0 per cent). The most significant share in imports fell within mineral products (28.6 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment (12.8 per cent), and products of the chemical or allied industries (12.2 per cent).

Foreign trade balance ( LTL million )

	Exports	Imports	Balance
I quarter 2009	9424.0	10451.2	-1027.2
January**	3175.3	3326.3	-151.0
February**	3108.9	3430.9	-322.0
March	3139.8	3693.9	-554.1
2008 ◘	55477.4	72593.2	-17115.8
January	3753.0	5527.3	-1774.3
February	4255.8	5815.6	-1559.8
March	4572.3	6620.5	-2048.2
I quarter 2008	12581.1	17963.4	-5382.3