ATHENS — The Greek trade deficit shrank by 23.8 pct in January this year as exports fell 12.1 pct and imports dropped 16.7 pct in the month, Hellenic Statistical Authority said in a report on merchandise transactions. More specifically, the value of import-arrivals totaled 3.953 billion euros in January from 4.748 billion in January 2020, a decline of 16.7 pct. Excluding oil products, imports fell 10.9 pct, while excluding oil products and ships, imports fell 10.6 pct. The value of exports-deliveries totaled 2.510 billion euros in January, from 2.855 billion in January last year, a decline of 12.1 pct. Excluding oil products, exports rose 1.0 pct, while excluding oil products and ships, exports rose 1.1 pct.

The trade deficit totaled 1.443 billion euros in January, from 1.893 billion in January 2020, a decline of 23.8 pct. Excluding oil products, the trade deficit was down 27.3 pct, while excluding oil products and ships, the trade deficit fell 26.8 pct.