in the Flemish Region amounted to 106.2 billion euros in the 4th quarter of 2023, or 13.5% lower than in the 4th quarter of 2022 (in ). Goods exports recorded a sharp decline in the 2nd quarter of 2020, just after the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis. There was also a decline (on an annual basis) in the following 2 quarters of 2020, but the decline was less pronounced. In the 1st quarter of 2021, exports were slightly higher again than in the 1st quarter of 2020 (+2%). This increase then increased significantly from the 1st quarter of 2022 to the 3rd quarter of 2022 (growth rates based on current prices between 25% and 50%). In the 4th quarter of 2022, there was a weakening of export growth to 16%. In the 1st quarter of 2023, exports fell very slightly. This decline intensified in the following 3 quarters of 2023. The decline in the 4th quarter of 2023 was mainly due to the decline in exports of pharmaceutical products, petroleum products, precious stones and plastic products (amount in current prices). This was offset by an increase in ship exports.
in the Flemish Region amounted to 102.6 billion euros in the 4th quarter of 2023. That was 15% less than in the 4th quarter of 2022 (in current prices). The reason for this decline lies mainly in the decline in the amount of imports of petroleum products, and to a lesser extent gemstones. The decline in imports was strongest in the 2nd quarter of 2020 and less strong in the two following quarters. From 2021 onwards, there was also growth here, initially modest in the 1st quarter of 2021 (+5%), then much stronger in the 2nd quarter of 2021 to the 3rd quarter of 2022, and weakening to +6% in the 4th quarter of 2021. 2022. Analogous to exports, the import amount decreased mainly in the last 3 quarters of 2023.
The figures on imports and exports for the 4th quarter of 2023 are provisional and may be adjusted in the coming months.