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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for September 2013 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (November 14) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In September 2013, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods decreased marginally, by 0.1% over September 2012, while that of domestic exports decreased by 19.3%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 0.4%. On the other hand, the volume of imports of goods increased by 0.5%.
Comparing the first nine months of 2013 with the same period in 2012, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 3.0%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 9.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.8%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 3.9%.
Comparing the third quarter of 2013 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.1%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 2.2%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 0.4%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 1.0%.
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 2013 with September 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.3%, while those of domestic exports increased by 1.7%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.3%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 1.3%.
As regards price changes in the first nine months of 2013 over the same period in 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 0.9%, while those of domestic exports increased by 2.7%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 0.9%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 0.6%.
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 periods in 2012, the index increased by 1.0% and 0.3% in September 2013 and in the first nine months of 2013 respectively.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing September 2013 with September 2012, a double-digit decrease of 12.6% was recorded for the total export volume to Japan. Concurrently, the total export volume to Germany, the USA and the mainland of China (the Mainland) decreased by 7.2%, 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. On the other hand, a double-digit increase of 13.6% was recorded for the total export volume to India.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the Mainland, Germany, the USA and Japan increased by 3.0%, 2.5%, 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to India 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 2013 with September 2012, a double-digit increase of 15.6% was recorded for the import volume from the USA. Concurrently, the import volume from the Mainland increased by 4.1%. On the other hand, the import volume from Taiwan, Japan and Singapore decreased by 4.6%, 4.7% and 13.4% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from Taiwan, the USA and the Mainland increased by 5.6%, 2.0% and 1.6% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Japan and Singapore decreased by 2.4% and 2.8% respectively.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the September 2013 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/Thursday, November 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:30
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