Exports fell 18.2pc and imports decreased 31.7pc from July last year. The decrease was slower compared to a 21.1pc export contraction, but faster following a 27.7pc import decline in June. Exports fell at the lowest rate since March, while imports declined for the 11th month in row at the highest rate in July. The July trade surplus came after a EUR 183m deficit in January, a EUR 319m surplus in February, EUR 548m surplus in March, EUR 423m surplus in April, EUR 490m surplus in May and EUR 457m surplus in June. January-July exports fell 24.5pc to EUR 33.5bn and imports fell 30.6pc to EUR 30.85bn. 2008 exports rose 5.5pc to EUR 72.784bn from 2007, and imports rose 5.2pc to EUR 72.752bn. KSH will publish detailed figures for January-July on October 1.