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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for December 2010 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (February 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In December 2010, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 4.6% over December 2009, while that of domestic exports increased by 16.0%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 4.9%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 6.3%.
Comparing 2010 with 2009, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 18.1%, while that of domestic exports increased by 15.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 18.1%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 18.6%.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2010 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 4.1%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports decreased by 4.3%, whereas that of domestic exports increased by 3.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 2.7%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing December 2010 with December 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 7.4%, while that of domestic exports increased by 7.1%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 7.4%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 8.0%.
As regards price changes in 2010 over 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 4.6%, while those of domestic exports increased by 5.5%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 4.7%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 6.4%.
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 2009, the index decreased by 0.5% in December 2010 and 1.7% in 2010.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing December 2010 with December 2009, the total export volume to the USA, Japan, Taiwan and the mainland of China (the Mainland) increased by 6.8%, 5.8%, 5.1% and 1.5% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to Germany decreased by 2.8%.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the Mainland (+7.9%), Japan (+6.8%), the USA (+6.1%), Germany (+5.5%) and Taiwan (+3.9%).
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
In December 2010, a double-digit increase was recorded for the import volume from the USA (+15.9%) over December 2009. Concurrently, the import volume from Singapore, the Mainland, Taiwan and Japan increased by 6.6%, 5.2%, 5.0% and 1.8% respectively.
Comparing December 2010 with December 2009, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Japan (+9.6%), the Mainland (+9.0%), Singapore (+6.2%), the USA (+6.0%) and Taiwan (+1.8%).
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the December 2010 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/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, February 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:31
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