Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in September 2017
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In September 2017, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 6.9% over September 2016, while that of domestic exports increased by 3.8%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 6.9%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 7.3%.
Comparing the first nine months of 2017 with the same period in 2016, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 6.9%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 0.6%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 6.8%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 7.0%.
Comparing the third quarter of 2017 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods remained virtually unchanged. Within this total, the volume of re-exports remained virtually unchanged, whereas that of domestic exports increased by 4.6%. On the other hand, the volume of imports of goods increased by 0.7%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing September 2017 with September 2016, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.2%, while those of domestic exports increased by 2.1%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.2%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.3%.
As regards price changes in the first nine months of 2017 over the same period in 2016, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 1.7%, while those of domestic exports increased by 2.2%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.7%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 1.8%.
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 2016, the index decreased by 0.1% in both September 2017 and the first nine months of 2017.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing September 2017 with September 2016, the total export volume to Germany and India increased significantly, by 39.5% and 26.6% respectively. Concurrently, the total export volume to Japan, the mainland of China (the Mainland) and the USA increased by 15.1%, 4.1% and 3.6% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the Mainland, Japan, India and the USA increased by 3.4%, 2.2%, 1.5% and 0.7% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to Germany decreased by 0.8%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing September 2017 with September 2016, the import volume from Korea increased significantly, by 29.3%. Concurrently, the import volume from Taiwan, the Mainland, Japan and Singapore increased by 10.5%, 4.9%, 0.7% and 0.2% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Taiwan (+5.3%), Korea (+3.9%), Singapore (+2.6%), the Mainland (+1.9%) and Japan (+1.3%).
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the September 2017 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 the Trade Analysis Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).
Ends/Thursday, November 9, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:30
Issued at HKT 16:30
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