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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for January 2013 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (March 14) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In January 2013, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 17.4% over January 2012, while that of domestic exports increased by 16.9%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 17.4%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods grew significantly, by 24.0%.
Comparing the three months ending January 2013 with the three months ending January 2012, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 13.9%, while that of domestic exports increased by 4.4%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 13.8%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 13.6%.
Comparing the three-month period ending January 2013 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 8.7%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 8.9%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 3.3%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 4.8%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing January 2013 with January 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 0.3%, while those of domestic exports increased by 4.4%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 0.4%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 1.0%.
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 2012, the index decreased by 0.6% in January 2013.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing January 2013 with January 2012, the total export volume to Taiwan and the mainland of China (the Mainland) grew significantly, by 48.8% and 30.8% respectively. Concurrently, the total export volume to Japan and Germany increased by 5.4% and 0.5% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to the USA decreased by 2.5%.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Taiwan, Germany, the USA and Japan increased by 3.1%, 2.7%, 2.5% and 2.2% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to the Mainland decreased by 1.0%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing January 2013 with January 2012, the import volume from the Mainland, Taiwan, Singapore and the USA grew significantly, by 34.7%, 34.4%, 26.0% and 20.0% respectively. Concurrently, the import volume from Japan increased by 2.7%.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from the USA, Singapore and the Mainland increased by 1.8%, 1.5% and 0.4% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Taiwan and Japan decreased by 0.2% and 1.6% respectively.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the January 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, March 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:30
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