Import surplus in March

Norway imported NOK 4.9 billion more than it exported of traditional commodities in March. So far this year, the value of both exports and imports has been higher than in the first three months of last year. The export value of crude oil continued to rise, reaching a new record in March.

Exports of crude oil and natural gas totalled NOK 11.9 billion in March, giving a surplus of NOK 7.0 billion for commodities outside ships and oil platforms. The daily average value of crude oil exports was just ahead of the record level set in October/November 1990.

Increased exports and imports

The export value of traditional commodities was NOK 14 billion in March, the same as in March last year. For the first three months, exports totalled NOK 40.1 billion, an increase of 2.2 billion or 5.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

Imports of traditional commodities totalled NOK 18.8 billion, one billion more than in March 1995. In the first three months this year Norway imported NOK 52.5 billion worth of goods, an increase of NOK 3.5 billion or 7.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

New Statistics

External trade in goods, March 1996.
Statistics are issued every month in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics and the Monthly Bulletin of External Trade. The figures are available from Customer Services, External Trade, tel. +47 21 09 47 52/53. More information: Anne B. Dahle, tel. +47 21 09 47 10 or Customer Services.

Weekly Bulletin Is.18, 1996