Israel: Merchandise exports grow at a milder rate in December
Merchandise exports jumped 18.8% in annual terms in December (November: +21.0% year-on-year). Meanwhile, merchandise imports increased 9.1% on an annual basis in December (November: +38.1% yoy), marking the worst result since January 2021.
As a result, the merchandise trade balance deteriorated from the previous month, recording a USD 3.0 billion shortfall in December (November 2021: USD 2.9 billion deficit; December 2020: USD 3.2 billion deficit). Lastly, the trend improved, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a USD 32.8 billion deficit in December, compared to the USD 33.0 billion deficit in November.