************************************************************
Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for November 2009 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (January 19) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In November 2009, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 2.1% over November 2008, whereas that of domestic exports fell significantly, by 20.0%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 1.4%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 7.4%.
Comparing the first eleven months of 2009 with the same period in 2008, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods decreased by 12.9%, while that of domestic exports dropped sharply, by 36.2%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 13.7%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 11.5%.
Comparing the three-month period ending November 2009 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 8.1%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 8.0%, while that of domestic exports increased by 9.4%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 9.5%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing November 2009 with November 2008, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 0.7%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 1.2%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 0.6%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 0.5%.
As regards price changes in the first eleven months of 2009 over the same period in 2008, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 1.1%, whereas those of domestic exports decreased slightly, by 0.2%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.1%. On the other hand, the prices of imports of goods decreased slightly, by 0.3%.
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 2008, the index increased by 0.1% in November 2009 and 1.4% in the first eleven months of 2009.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing November 2009 with November 2008, the total export volume to the Mainland of China (the Mainland), Germany and Japan increased by 6.4%, 2.8% and 2.4% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to the United Kingdom and the USA decreased by 9.1% and 9.3% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the Mainland and Germany increased by 2.0% and 1.0% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to Japan, the United Kingdom and the USA decreased by 0.2%, 1.0% and 2.1% respectively.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
In November 2009, the import volume from Taiwan grew significantly, by 28.5% over November 2008. Concurrently, the import volume from the Mainland, the USA, Japan and Singapore increased by 5.7%, 5.1%, 1.9% and 0.7% respectively.
Comparing November 2009 with November 2008, the import prices from Singapore, the USA and Taiwan increased by 8.5%, 1.0% and 0.6% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Japan and the Mainland decreased by 0.4% and 0.7%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the November 2009 issue of the "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD(http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/statistical_report/external_trade/index.jsp).
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4918).
Ends/Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:30
NNNN
