During 2020, exports from Israel fell by 3% due to the corona crisis • In the high-tech industry, on the other hand, there was an increase of about 7% in exports, and it constitutes more than half of Israeli exports to foreign countries.
Photography:
Hertz Shapira
An analysis by the Export Institute shows that exports from Israel fell by about 3% this year, to a total volume of about $ 107 billion.
On the other hand, the rate of decline in world trade is expected to amount to about 10% - according to the latest forecast of the International Monetary Fund.
Total high-tech exports increased by about 7% and now constitute more than half of all Israeli exports.
The institute predicts that in 2021, local exports will increase by 7%, to about $ 115 billion.
The dramatic impact on exports of tourism, goods, services and transportation was offset by the sharp rise in exports of software and research and development (R&D) services. Exports of tourism and transportation services fell by about 45% following the Corona epidemic.
Exports in the commodities sector amounted to about $ 54 billion (a decrease of about 4%).
Manufacturing exports, including adjustments, which now account for about 90% of total merchandise exports, amounted to about $ 49 billion (down 3%).
Agricultural exports and diamond exports, which seem to have fallen by about 20 years, each fell by about 9%.
Exports of goods (excluding diamonds) to trade areas were characterized by a mixed trend this year.
Exports to the EU fell by about 14%, to $ 14 billion, after a 3% increase in the past year.
Exports to the United States decreased slightly by about 3% and amounted to about $ 20.5 billion. Exports to Asia remained unchanged and amounted to about $ 10 billion.
According to estimates by the Export Institute, total exports of high-tech services this year amounted to about $ 37 billion - an increase of 11% compared to 2019. The main trading partners for high-tech exports from Israel are the United States (40%), EU countries (19). And Asia (17%).
According to the Institute's forecast, in 2021, world trade is expected to grow by about 8%, mainly from the recovery in exports of tourism and transportation services, as well as from the continued increase in exports of high-tech services, albeit at a more moderate rate.
"I believe that next year, at the end of the corona crisis, we will increase the volume of exports in general and in Arab society in Israel in particular," said Economy and Industry Minister Amir Peretz.
Gadi Arieli, CEO of the Export Institute, added: "These data indicate the importance of exports and its crucial contribution to keeping the Israeli economy strong and stable."
