LISBON: Portugal posted a current account surplus of 344 million euros ($439 million) in the first eight months of 2014, a 29 percent drop from a year ago, but back from a deficit accumulated this year through July, the Bank of Portugal said on Monday.

Portugal, which exited an international bailout in May, also turned out a surplus of 1.88 billion euros in the combined balance of trade in goods and services in the period, down from 2.7 billion euros a year earlier as the goods-only deficit increased, the data showed.

Portugal in 2013 posted its first full-year surplus in two decades, impacted by growing imports amid an economic recovery and slower exports growth. Exports growth has slowed since, while imports grew further.

Portugal's economy is expected to grow this year after three straight years of recession.

Copyright Reuters, 2014