External trade in goods, March 2000

In the first three months this year we have exported crude oil for 56.3 billion kroner. In the first quarter last year this export was 19.7 billion. The strong growth in value from the first quarter in 1999 was mainly due to increased crude oil prices. During 1999 the export prices per barrel of crude oil have risen from 80 kroner in January to 200 kroner in December. In the three first months this year the price on average has been 203, 228 and 229 kroner. In the first quarter last year we exported 232 million barrels of crude oil, compared with 256 millioner barrels this year. The value of the export of natural gas has slightly increased, and so far this year we have exported for 8.3 billion kroner.

The trade surplus for the period January to March this year was 50.7 billion kroner. This is near six times more than the first quarter last year, when the surplus was 8.8 billion.

Increased exports to the US og the Netherlands

Looking at the export of traditional commodities to our main trade partners in the first quarter this year, the US and the Netherlands showed the largest increase. To the US our exports have increased from 3.3 billion kroner in the first quarter last year to 4.3 billion (+28.5 per cent) in January to March this year. Exports to the Netherlands were this year 3.2 billon kroner, and this is 980 millioner more than the same period last year. To Sweden, our most important trade partner, the export has increased by 850 million kroner. To Germany, our second important trade partner, the export was 600 million higher in January to March than the same period last year.

Tables:

• Tabell 1 Importen av tradisjonelle varer i mars og januar-mars 1999 og 2000. Millioner kroner. Foreløpige tall
• Tabell 2 Eksporten av varer uten skip og oljeplattformer i mars og januar-mars 1999 og 2000. Millioner kroner. Foreløpige tall
• Tabell 3 Samhandelen med land og landområder. Tradisjonelle varer. Januar-mars 1999 og 2000. Millioner kroner. Foreløpige tall