Algeria’s trade deficit reached $17.2 billion over the first 11 months of 2016 against $15.39 billion over the same period in 2015, shows data released on December 20 by the National Centre for Customs’ Statistics and IT (CNIS in French).

Between January 1 and November 30, 3016, exports stood at $25.58 billion, against $32.06 billion in 2015, over the same period, thus 20.22% less. Imports for their part slumped more significantly, by 9.58%, from $47.45 billion to $42.78 billion.

Exports which comprise 93.97% oil and gas have thus covered imports at a rate of 60% over the first 11 months of the year, against 68% in 2015.

Over the period of study in 2016, Algeria’s five leading customers were Italy ($4.41 billion), Spain ($3.24 billion), France ($2.95 billion), the USA, ($2.79 billion), and Canada ($1.25 billion). China remains Algiers’s main supplier with $7.7 billion followed by France ($4.37bn), Italy ($4.76bn), Spain ($3.29bn) and Germany ($2.7bn).