A marked shift in the trade balance of the EU27 has emerged in the first four months of 2023, as the polycarbonate (PC) EU exports drop significantly compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, polycarbonate (PC) import figures for Eurostat have shown an upward trend.
From January to April 2023, the EU27 countries reported a dramatic decrease in total exports, with the export total standing at 44,097 million tons (MT). This marks a significant decline compared to the export total for the same period in 2022, which reached 92,116 MT.
In contrast, the import numbers present a different narrative. The aggregate import total for the same four-month period in 2023 witnessed a marked rise, reaching 53,740 MT compared to the 45,541 MT reported for the same period in 2022.
The economic dynamics of the EU27 indicate a shift as PC EU exports drop, transitioning the union from a net exporter to a net importer. The union has experienced a reduction of over 50% in exports compared to the previous year, while imports have witnessed an increase of approximately 18%.