************************************************************
Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for April 2011 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 16) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In April 2011, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods decreased by 4.2% over April 2010, while that of domestic exports decreased by 8.3%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 4.3%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased slightly, by 0.3%.
Comparing the first four months of 2011 with the same period in 2010, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods went up by 12.0%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 5.2%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 11.6%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 9.3%.
Comparing the three-month period ending April 2011 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 3.0%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 3.3%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 8.3%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 2.1%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing April 2011 with April 2010, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 8.6%, while those of domestic exports increased by 6.5%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 8.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 8.0%.
As regards price changes in the first four months of 2011 over the same period in 2010, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 7.8%, while those of domestic exports increased by 6.6%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 7.8%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 8.6%.
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 period in 2010, the index increased by 0.5% in April 2011, whereas it decreased by 0.8% in the first four months of 2011.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing April 2011 with April 2010, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland), the USA and Japan decreased by 9.1%, 9.0% and 6.3% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to Taiwan and Germany increased by 15.4% and 23.7% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the USA (+10.4%), Taiwan (+8.7%), Japan (+7.8%), the Mainland (+7.6%) and Germany (+7.6%).
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
In April 2011, double-digit decreases were recorded for the import volume from Japan (-17.3%) and Singapore (-12.3%) over April 2010. Concurrently, the import volume from Taiwan and the USA decreased by 1.4% and 0.3% respectively. On the other hand, the import volume from the Mainland increased by 0.9%.
Comparing April 2011 with April 2010, the import prices from Singapore, Japan, the USA and the Mainland increased by 11.3%, 9.8%, 8.8% and 7.7% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Taiwan decreased by 0.6%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the April 2011 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 (1) of the C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4918).
Ends/Thursday, June 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:32
NNNN
