Economic and Financial Review - June 2021: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

External Trade

The merchandise trade deficit is estimated to have widened by 4.1 per cent to $678.9m over the first half of 2021, after narrowing significantly over the previous year’s comparative period (see figure 8). Export receipts fell by 40.5 per cent ($17.6m) driven mainly by re-exports, while the value of imports registered an increase of 4.1 per cent ($9.4m). The modest growth in the value of imports stemmed from an above-average increase (9.4 per cent) for machinery and transport equipment, and was consistent with the estimated pick-up in construction activity.

Figure 8 - Antigua and Barbuda Visible Trade (June)

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