Exports from Switzerland fell a real 5.2 percent year-on-year in May to 11.13 billion Swiss francs ($8.9 billion), data showed on Tuesday, but they rose nominally, confirming that an economic recovery is on track.
The figure fell in real terms as May had two fewer business days this year than last, the Federal Customs Office said and added that adjusted for that, exports had grown more strongly than in previous months.
Nominally, they rose 1.6 percent, driven by increases of around 10 percent for overseas sales from the chemicals, clothing and metal industries.
Exports overall grew a real 5.4 percent in the first five months of the year.
Compared with May 2003, the customs office said, imports to the Swiss economy rose a real 0.2 percent to 9.79 billion, with sales of capital goods up strongly.
Switzerland ran a merchandise trade surplus of 1.34 billion francs in May versus a revised April surplus of 425.2 million francs.
The figures exclude precious metals and stones, works of art and antiques.