June 25, 2020

CPB World Trade Monitor April 2020

The CPB World Trade Monitor shows a historical decline in the world trade volume in April of 12.1% compared with March. Exports fell back significantly in several regions: -23% for both the eurozone and the US, -21% for Latin-America, -14% Japan, and -11% for other advanced economies. Imports declined most in Latin-America (-18%), the eurozone (-17%), the US (-11%), and other advanced economies (-15%). The growth in world trade during the months February to April compared with the preceding three months was -7.2%. None of the regions showed an increase, and the eurozone showed the most negative development (-13% exports, -11% imports).

Read the complete accompanying press release.

Developments in global international trade and industrial production April 2020:

World trade volume decreased 12.1% month-on-month (growth was -2.4% in March, initial estimate -1.4%).
World trade momentum was -7.2% (non-annualised; -3.0% in March, initial estimate -2.5%).
World industrial production decreased 8.1% month-on-month (having decreased 0.2% in March, unchanged from initial estimate).
World industrial production momentum was -5.6% (non-annualised; -4.1% in March, initial estimate -4.2%).

The next release of the CPB World Trade Monitor is scheduled for 24 July 2020, 15:00 hours.

CPB publishes a World Trade Monitor every month on behalf of the European Commission. It takes two months for the figures to become available. For questions please contact wtm@cpb.nl.

Read also the CPB Background Document 'The CPB World Trade Monitor: technical description (update 2020)'. In September 2016 (starting with the July 2016 monitor) the WTM base year has been moved from 2005 to 2010. Clarification of the procedure and its outcomes is given in the downloadable appendix (CPB Memo 'Change of base year WTM').

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The World Trade Monitor is partially financed by DG ECFIN (Directorate General of Economic and Monetary Affairs of the Economic Commission).