The recovery in slate exports, which began timidly last June, continues. The figures speak of a 10.75% increase in product output in July, when 47,016 tons were exported, compared to June of this year 2020, when the exported tons were 42,452. Regarding billing, the increase has been 10.61%. From the 24,142,822 euros registered in June this year, the figure increased to 26,705,493 euros registered in July.
This increase by country places situates France at 10.12% more exports (20,188 tons registered in July 2020) compared to the June data (18,332 tons), followed by the United Kingdom with an 11.73% increase (12,910 tons compared to at 11,555 tons in June). Germany registers an increase of 21.14% (6,968 tons compared to the 5,613 tons registered in June) and Belgium in -24.43% (1,534 tons in July compared to 2,030 tons in June).
In accumulated numbers, despite continuing to speak negatively, the decline in exports in the first seven months of the year diminishes and stands at -11.6%. In July 2019, 294,966 tons of slate were exported; in 2020, that figure dropped to 260,635 tons. These data translate into an 8.8% decrease in billing; in the month of July 2019, 161,427,119 euros were invoiced and in 2020 the figure was reduced to 147,235,201 euros.
By country, accumulated exports to France fell 12% in July compared to 2019 (113,169 tons registered in July 2020 compared to 129,047 tons registered in July 2019), billing 63,292,644 euros, almost 7 million less than in the previous year. The United Kingdom has experienced a similar situation, which imported 25% less slate (65,902 tons in 2020 compared to the 87,638 tons registered in 2019), which meant 9,293,106 euros less turnover. Germany again registers positive figures (39,460 tons in 2020), with 4% more exports compared to the accumulated in July 2019 (38,026 tons).
