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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for December 2009 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (February 11) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In December 2009, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 9.5% over December 2008, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 10.8%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 8.9%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 18.0%.
Comparing 2009 with 2008, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods decreased by 11.3%, while that of domestic exports dropped sharply, by 34.6%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 12.0%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 9.4%.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2009 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 9.1%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 9.1%, while that of domestic exports increased by 7.1%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 7.6%.
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 2009 with December 2008, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 1.2%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 0.5%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.2%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 1.8%.
As regards price changes in 2009 over 2008, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 1.2%, whereas those of domestic exports decreased slightly, by 0.2%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.1%. On the other hand, the prices of imports of goods decreased slightly, by 0.1%.
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 2008, the index decreased by 0.6% in December 2009, whereas it increased by 1.3% in 2009.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
In December 2009, the total export volume to Taiwan rose sharply, by 49.8% over December 2008. Concurrently, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) and Japan increased by 14.2% and 5.3% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to the USA and Germany decreased by 6.2% and 14.5% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Taiwan, the Mainland, Japan and Germany increased by 3.1%, 2.6%, 0.8% and 0.2% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to the USA decreased by 1.1%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing December 2009 with December 2008, the import volume from Taiwan rose sharply, by 53.2%. Concurrently, double-digit increases were also recorded for the import volume from Singapore (+20.8%), the USA (+16.8%), Japan (+15.5%) and the Mainland (+12.3%).
In December 2009, the import prices from Singapore, the USA and Taiwan increased by 15.0%, 2.0% and 1.7% respectively over December 2008. Concurrently, the import prices from the Mainland remained virtually unchanged. On the other hand, the import prices from Japan decreased by 0.3%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the December 2009 issue of the "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (http://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/Thursday, February 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:30
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