Contact Us In the first six months of 2023, goods worth 15.3 billion euros were exported from Styria. Domestic exports of goods thus rose by 6.2 percent from January to June compared to the previous year (2022: 14.4 billion euros). This is the highest value ever recorded for a first half-year.
Positive export balance for Styria in the first half of 2023
Styrian exports rose to 15.3 billion euros in the first half of 2023.
“Given the more recent data for Austria as a whole, it can be assumed that the USA and other overseas destinations, especially in Asia, continued to gain importance as export markets for Styria in 2023. On the other hand, the mixed economic development, particularly in the Eurozone, already dampened the overall export momentum in the first half of the year, a trend that will unfortunately also impact the year as a whole. Nevertheless, a new export record for Styrian companies for 2023 seems to be within reach.”
Karl Hartleb, Managing Director of the ICS
Styria’s top 3 export markets in the first half of 2023:
- Germany (+8.4% to 4.2 billion euros)
- USA (+35.1 percent to 1.6 billion euros)
- Italy (-8.8 percent to 968 million euros)
China (-5.8 percent to 755 million euros) follows in fourth place ahead of Great Britain (+5.9 percent to 637 million euros). The USA recorded the largest growth among the markets with +409 million euros.
India as an important future partner
The ICS is already working intensively on opening up new markets, such as India – one of the fastest-growing economies in the world at the moment. Getting to know this challenging market and building a network on-site and in Styria is the declared objective of the business mission led by Provincial Councilor Eibinger-Miedl in March 2024.
- March 09 – 16, 2024: Styrian business mission to India
Market exploration | Bengaluru & New Delhi | IT & Skill Scouting | Deep Tech & AI | R&D | Aerospace | Mobility | Start-Up Bridge
The top goods exports of Styria in the first half of 2023:
With regard to products, “tractors and motor vehicles” (+329 million euros) and “iron and steel goods” (+289 million euros) contributed most to export growth.
The list of Styria’s most important export goods is headed by “tractors and motor vehicles” (3.7 billion euros), “machinery and mechanical appliances” (1.9 billion euros), and “electrical machinery and electronic goods” (1.4 billion euros).
“The export success of our companies is crucial for the positive economic development of Styria. The balance for the first half of 2023 is therefore gratifying, but should not obscure the fact that the domestic economy is currently struggling. We must therefore seize existing opportunities for economic growth right now and, in addition to our most important trading partners, also develop new markets that have potential.”
Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Provincial Councilor for Economic Affairs
“Styrian products are innovative and sustainable and therefore enjoy an excellent reputation worldwide. It is thanks to this quality that another successful chapter could be added to the success story of Styrian foreign trade, even in difficult economic times. However, this should not hide the fact that our export companies are currently under heavy pressure. Even the most innovative companies with the best products need framework conditions – keyword high labor and energy costs – that allow for competitiveness on international markets. Generating a plus here despite all the challenges testifies to extraordinary entrepreneurial achievements, which we as WKO Styria support with extensive services. Because success on global markets is essential for the future and prosperity of Styria.”
Josef Herk, President of the Styrian Economic Chamber
“We must not be misled by the fundamentally gratifying export figures for the first half of 2023. They developed in the period before the industrial recession, which has solidified in recent months for the manufacturing sector and thus those companies that mostly export. In any case, the export figures, which have risen once again, are proof that our Styrian industry stands for exports, and that can only go hand in hand with high competitiveness on international markets. It is precisely this competitiveness that we see increasingly at risk. To prolong our export success in 2024, we need to make our location more attractive, strengthening our companies in the country so that they can be successful abroad.”
Stefan Stolitzka, President of IV-Styria
“We are currently faced with an extremely tense situation on the global markets. This makes the present statistics all the more gratifying. They show that our Styrian foreign trade companies can succeed economically even in challenging times. This is important for the future of our state. Because growth, employment, and thus more prosperity will primarily be possible through foreign trade in the future. For this reason, we as WKO also support our members with a comprehensive range of services when taking the step across borders and work hand in hand with companies to open up new markets.”
Manfred Kainz, Chairman of the Foreign Trade Committee in the Styrian Economic Chamber
Your contact at ICS
Sandra Tanos
Senior Project Management | Export Consulting
