OSLO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Norway's merchandise trade surplus widened to 84.3 billion Norwegian kroner (8.96 billion U.S. dollars) in July, nearly 60 percent higher than a year earlier, Statistics Norway said Monday.
Exports rose 21.5 percent year-on-year, while imports remained broadly unchanged, Statistics Norway said in a press release.
High natural gas prices were the main contributor to the larger surplus. The value of gas exports surged 43.5 percent to its highest level since January 2025, while export volume increased by only 1 percent, indicating that the growth was driven mainly by prices.
Crude oil export earnings also increased despite a decline in volume, as renewed tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher.
Mainland exports grew 4.1 percent, while fish exports recorded their highest July value on record, supported particularly by salmon, cod and mackerel.
Electricity export revenue also rose despite a sharp fall in volume, as higher power prices in Europe pushed up Norwegian export prices. ■