The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) published last week its data for September 2009 showing that import of goods totaled $3.9 billion, exports of goods totaled $4.3 billion and the trade surplus totaled $0.4 billion.

The above is based on temporary data regarding goods that cleared Customs, not including trade between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The trade balance (excluding diamonds) shows a deficit of $4.9 billion in January-September 2009 ($10.9 billion in the same months of 2008).

The trade balance (excluding diamonds) by main country groups shows a surplus of $4.5 billion with USA, a deficit of $3.9 billion with EU countries, a deficit of $2.4 billion with Asian countries and a deficit of $3.0 billion with Other Countries group.

Import of goods (excluding diamonds), in current prices in U.S. dollars, totaled $3.4B in September.

The trend data calculated by the CBS, seasonally adjusted and adjusted for irregular elements, point to a rise of import of goods (excluding diamonds) of 19.5%, at an annual rate, during July-September 2009.

Trend data by main country groups indicates that imports from EU countries point to a rise of 28.7%, at an annual rate, during July-September 2009. Imports from USA point to a rise of 2.6%, imports from Asia point to a rise of 23.9% and imports from Other Countries point to a rise of 60.8% during the last three months, at an annual rate.

The trend data calculated by the CBS, seasonally adjusted and adjusted for irregular elements, point to a rise of export of goods (excluding diamonds) of 20.1%, at an annual rate, during July-September 2009.

Trend data by main country groups indicates that exports to USA point to a rise of 28.4%, at an annual rate, during July-September 2009. Exports to EU countries point to a drop of 0.7%, exports to Asia point to a rise of 71.2% and exports to Other Countries group point to a drop of 9.8% during the last three months.