Growing trade deficits: imports up, exports down on Saba

In 2017, the trade deficits of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba were higher than in the previous year. In relative terms, St Eustatius saw the sharpest increase in annual deficit. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of new figures.

The Caribbean Netherlands has a structural trade deficit, with imports exceeding exports. Production is relatively low on the islands in comparison with the European part of the Netherlands.

Saba: imports up, exports down

On Saba, imports were up and exports were down in value on 2016. The island’s annual trade deficit in 2017 stood at 17 million US dollars, an increase of 7 percent. The highest import value on Saba was recorded in Q2.

Trade deficit one and a half times higher on St Eustatius

In 2017, the trade deficit of St Eustatius amounted to 52 million US dollars, 50 percent up on the previous year. Imports of goods on St Eustatius rose by 50 percent (55 million US dollars) while exports rose by 58 percent (2.5 million US dollars) relative to 2016. The value of imports was at its highest in Q4 2017, namely 15 million US dollars.

 

Highest import value on Bonaire in Q4

Bonaire’s trade deficit amounted to 202 million US dollars in 2017, 5 percent up on the previous year. Both imports and exports increased. In Q4, Bonaire imported 60 million US dollars worth of goods, representing the highest quarterly value of 2017 and the highest import value since measurements started in 2011.

CBS