Estonian exports increased to 9.7 billion kroons (£533.62 million) in March, according to official figures.

Statistics Estonia said exports of goods from the country were higher in all main commodity sections compared to the same month last year, the Baltic Course reported.

Overall, they rose by 16 per cent, or 1.4 billion kroons, with machinery and equipment accounting for one-fifth of the total.

The biggest increase in exports was seen in the timber industry, while agricultural and food preparation products also saw strong growth.

One-fifth of Estonias experts were sent to Finland, making it the biggest consumer of the Baltic nations goods, followed by Sweden, Latvia and Russia.

The figures come after Statistics Estonia revealed that producer prices in the country increased by 2.4 per cent in April compared to the same month in 2009.

On a month-on-month basis, prices were 0.9 per cent higher than in March.