First quarter development of Swiss trade

In the first quarter 2016 total Swiss exports increased by 2.5 % (in real terms – 1.4 %) to CHF 61.776 billion, and imports decreased by 1.1 % (real -1.8 %) to CHF 51.78 billion. The trade balance shows a plus of CHF 9.6 billion, according to the official customs authority statistics

Total Swiss exports reached CHF 51.8 billion and imports CHF 42.1 billion. Compared to the first quarter of 2015 exports increased by 2.4 % (real -1.5 %) and against the last quarter of 2015 they were up 1.1 % (real -1.7 %). Annualised imports increased by 1.1 % (real -1.9 %), and compared to the last quarter of 2015 these increased by 1.3 % (real -0.1 %). On an annual comparison exports of textiles, clothing and footwear expanded by 7.5 % or CHF 57 million., however the export of textile machinery declined by 24 %.

The import of textiles, clothing and footwear increased 1.9 % or by CHF 47 million compared to the last quarter of 2015.

Swiss March exports of textiles, clothing and footwear amounted to CHF 289 million + 0.3 % (real +2.9 %) and imports amounted to CHF 796 million + 7.4 % (real +10.1 %).

March imports of the sectors were in the value of CHF 812 million, thereof CHF 494 million clothing or -1.9 % (real -1.5 %), textiles CHF 169 million or -4.5 % (real .5.0 %) and footwear CHF 148 million or -2.4 % (real -9.3 %).

March textile machinery exports amounted to CHF 77 million or -29.0 % (real -32.2 %).