Exports of chemicals is 21% down in Q1 of 2009

Despite the sharp fall in chemical exports, exports of pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary use climbed 28%
 
Figures reported last week by Asher Greenbaum, chairman of Association of Chemical and Petrochemical Industries at the Manufacturers Association of Israel, show that Israel's exports of chemicals in the first quarter of 2009 amounted to $2.68 billion, 21% down on the corresponding quarter of 2008.
 
A thorough analysis of the figures show that exports of industrial chemicals fell by 37% in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the parallel quarter of 2008 to $308 million. Exports of pesticides and disinfectants fell by 10% to $278.5.
 
Exports of minerals down by 53% to $171.6 million, exports of petrochemicals and plastic raw materials fell 40% to $115.3 million, exports of oil products fell 20% to $113 million and, soap, cleaning materials and cosmetics, fell 3% to $91.9 million.
 
Despite the sharp fall in chemical exports, exports of pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary use climbed 28% to $1.218 billion in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the parallel quarter of 2008.