The goods account recorded a EUR 714 million gap, compared to a EUR 766 million surplus in July 2020, as imports jumped 22% while exports rose at a softer 14%.

Also, the services surplus narrowed to EUR 1.464 bln from EUR 1.844 bln; the primary income deficit widened to EUR 2.472 bln from EUR 1.943 bln and the secondary income shortfall advanced to EUR 105 million from EUR 17 million.