The accumulated trade balance surplus over the past twelve months totaled US$26.235 billion as of May this year, the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reported.
On a monthly basis, a trade surplus of US$1.355 billion was recorded in May.
Exports in May totaled US$ 6.162 billion, a 1.5% year-on-year decline, mainly due to a 10.6% drop in the average export volume, specifically of traditional mining products.
However, this was partially offset by a 10.2% increase in export prices.
Last May, traditional exports totaled US$4.436 billion, representing a 7.1% year-on-year decline due to lower shipments of minerals such as iron, copper, and gold —despite the high prices of the latter two— as well as lower prices for hydrocarbons and fishery products.
Imports rose by 11.5% in the fifth month, reaching US$4.807 billion, mainly reflecting higher purchases of capital goods, industrial inputs, as well as both durable and non-durable consumer goods.