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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for April 2007 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In April 2007, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 13.0% over April 2006, whereas that of domestic exports fell by 17.6%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 11.3%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 14.0%.
Comparing the first four months of 2007 with the same period in 2006, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods rose by 11.2%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased significantly, by 29.7%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 8.7%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 9.9%.
Comparing the three-month period ending April 2007 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 5.7%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 5.3%, while that of domestic exports increased by 15.0%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 8.1%.
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 2007 with April 2006, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.3%, while those of domestic exports increased by 0.7%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.2%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.4%.
As regards price changes in the first four months of 2007 over the same period in 2006, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.7%, while those of domestic exports increased by 0.4%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods also increased by 2.5%.
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 2006, the index decreased marginally, by 0.2%, in April 2007. It remained virtually unchanged in the first four months of 2007.
Changes in the value, unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
In April 2007, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland), the United Kingdom, USA and Germany increased by 13.2%, 11.1%, 7.5% and 4.8% respectively over April 2006. On the other hand, the total export volume to Japan decreased by 0.9% over the same period of comparison.
Comparing April 2007 with April 2006, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the Mainland (+2.9%), the United Kingdom (+2.6%), Japan (+1.2%), USA (+1.0%) and Germany (+0.8%).
Changes in the value, unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
In April 2007, the import volume from Singapore grew significantly, by 23.7%, over April 2006. Double-digit growth was also recorded for the import volume from the Mainland (+18.0%) and USA (+15.1%) over the same period of comparison. Concurrently, the import volume from Japan increased by 9.1%, whereas that from Taiwan decreased by 0.6%.
Comparing April 2007 with April 2006, the import prices from Taiwan, the Mainland, Japan and USA increased by 3.3%, 2.9%, 1.6% and 1.0% respectively. On the other hand, the import price from Singapore decreased by 1.8%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the April 2007 issue of the "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can download this publication free of charge at the Website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/index.jsp).
Print version of this publication is available for sale at HK$26 per issue. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel: 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD's website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of this publication is also available for sale online at the Statistical Bookstore (www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) and the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk). Print versions if purchased online are offered a discount, at 85% of their original prices.
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).
Ends/Friday, June 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:15
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