EU: export/import ratio by product groups 2023

The export/import ratio measures the proportion of exports compared to imports coming from a certain country, sector, or product category. A positive export/import ratio (above 1) means that more goods are exported than imported and conversely a negative ratio (below 1) means there are more imports.

The European Union has a distinctive sectoral breakdown when it comes to export/import ratios, as product categories such as 'mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials', as well as raw materials, have strongly negative ratios, indicating that the EU imports much more of these goods from the rest of the world than it exports.

On the other hand, the EU has strongly positive ratios for chemicals, food & drinks, and machinery & transport equipment. The category 'commodities and other transactions' experienced a sharp increased in its export/income ratio after 2004, but due to the heterogenous group of products in this grouping it is not clear which products in particular began to be exported more. 'Other manufactured goods' remained relatively stable over the period, with mostly a slightly positive or neutral ratio, before entering negative territory in 2021.