Orgalime estimates that total exports of the industry reached €1210 billion in 2008 of which €738 billion or 61% remained within the EU/EFTA area.

In 2005, the last year for which detailed data is available, the mechanical engineering industry exported goods in the value of €152 billion outside the at the time still 25 EU Member States, accounting to a trade surplus of €85 billion. The EU is the most important manufacturing area in the world, with 36% of the total production in this sector being produced here.

The electrical and electronic engineering industry exported €192 billion outside the EU-25 in 2005, while imports amounted to €241 billion. The biggest single export market was the US with 21 % of all extra-EU 25 exports going there. On the other side China is the most important single import country representing 26% of all extra-EU imports.

The financial and economic crises have put to an end several years of rising exports. While detailed data for our industry is not yet available, it is clear that exports have fallen in the second half of 2008 and especially in 2009.

Despite some recent encouraging signs especially when it comes to exports to China, the industry’s exports will still suffer from the economic downturn. The situation will depend largely on how quickly the EU Member States themselves and important trading partners like the US and emerging countries like the BRIC countries will recover.