The monthly trade deficit widened to 2,157.5 million dinars (MD) in April 2022, against 1,960.3 MD in March, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The coverage rate lost 1.1 point compared to March, settling to 68.5%.
After the decline recorded in March, exports bounced back and increased 4.6%, while imports remained on a positive trend, rising 6.2% month-on-month.
Excluding energy products, exports fell 4.4% while imports saw an 8.2% rise.
After the 5.8% decline in March, exports picked up pace, recording a 4.6% improvement to 4,689.8 MD in April.
This improvement was notable for exports of the energy sector, which grew by 66.5%, reaching a record level of 568.6 MD.
Likewise, after a 20.2% fall in March, the phosphates and derivatives sector has recovered with a 123.7% rise.
Exports from the food processing sector saw a 12.9% increase. Those of the textile, clothing and leather sector improved by 3.6%, despite the drop recorded in the leather and footwear branch (-6.3%).
Exports of the mechanical and electrical industries sector fell by 11.2%, and those of the miscellaneous manufacturing sector fell by 13.2%.
As for imports, they were on a rising trend in April, with a 6.2% increase compared to March, reaching 6,847.3 MD.
This increase is mainly due to the rise in food supplies imports, which have almost doubled (+98%), mainly driven by the global rise in commodity prices.
In addition, imports of raw materials and semi-finished products are up by 1.7% and acquisitions of capital equipment have increased by 2.4%.
On the other hand, imports of consumer goods fell 6.6% and imports of energy products decreased by 2.2%.
Excluding energy products, imports saw an 8.2% increase.
Exports to the European Union decreased by 0.9%; this slight decline is the result of both a significant drop in exports to Germany (-16.8%), and a rise recorded with Italy (18.9%) and France (1.8%).
Outside the EU, exports went up 10.8%, driven by exports of energy products to the UK (+374.8%). However, exports to the Arab Maghreb Union countries fell (-16%).
As for imports, they grew 17.7% with the European Union countries, mainly with Italy (+39.4%), Germany (+27.5%) and Spain (+38.6%). However, they decreased with France (-6%).
With the Arab Maghreb Union countries, imports dropped 33.1%. The same applies to purchases from Russia (-43.1%).
With regard to the quarterly figures, exports increased 10% in April 2022 compared to the previous three months.
Imports, on the other hand, rose 12.6% compared to the previous three months.
 in April 2022, against 1,960.3 MD in March, according to the National){kind=link}