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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for September 2012 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (November 13) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In September 2012, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 13.7% over September 2011, while that of domestic exports increased by 9.2%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 13.6%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 13.0%.
Comparing the first nine months of 2012 with the same period in 2011, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods decreased by 1.9%, while that of domestic exports decreased by 15.7%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 2.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 0.8%.
Comparing the third quarter of 2012 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 4.3%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 4.3%, while that of domestic exports increased by 3.5%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 3.8%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing September 2012 with September 2011, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 1.9%, while those of domestic exports increased by 0.9%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.9%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.2%.
As regards price changes in the first nine months of 2012 over the same period in 2011, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 4.1%, while those of domestic exports increased by 2.4%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 4.0%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 3.7%.
Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same period in 2011, the index decreased by 0.3% in September 2012, whereas it increased by 0.4% in the first nine months of 2012.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing September 2012 with September 2011, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) grew significantly, by 23.3%. Concurrently, the total export volume to Japan and the USA increased by 12.3% and 7.7% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to Taiwan and Germany decreased by 2.5% and 11.8% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Japan, Germany, the USA and the Mainland increased by 4.3%, 3.0%, 2.1% and 2.1% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to Taiwan decreased by 1.2%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing September 2012 with September 2011, the import volume from Singapore grew significantly, by 23.0%. Concurrently, the import volume from Taiwan, the Mainland and Japan recorded double-digit increases of 18.8%, 14.4% and 10.3% respectively, while that from the USA was virtually unchanged.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from Singapore, the Mainland, the USA and Taiwan increased by 6.9%, 2.1%, 1.8% and 1.2% respectively, while those from Japan were virtually unchanged.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the September 2012 issue of "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp?productCode=B1020006).
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to Trade Analysis Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4918).
Ends/Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:30
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