Food import went downhill

KSH registered a moderate increase in turnover in its latest report: in November 2009 export grew by 3 percent and import augmented by 1 percent, if we compare it with the base level a year earlier. In January-November 2009, the volume of foreign trade was 13 percent lower in export and 19 percent lower in import. Our foreign trade balance was positive, with a surplus of HUF 1,184 billion, improving by HUF 1,222 billion from the negative trade balance of HUF 38 billion a year ago. In January-November 2009, the export and import volume of processed products decreased by 10 and 17 percent, respectively – set against the same period in 2008. In terms of volume, food, beverage and tobacco product export did not change significantly, while import contracted by 7 percent.