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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for June 2013 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In June 2013, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 0.5% over June 2012, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 11.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 0.3%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 2.3%.
Comparing the first half of 2013 with the same period in 2012, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 3.4%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 7.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 3.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 4.5%.
Comparing the second quarter of 2013 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 2.9%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports decreased by 2.9%, while that of domestic exports decreased by 4.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 1.1%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing June 2013 with June 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods decreased slightly, by 0.2%, whereas those of domestic exports increased by 2.6%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods decreased slightly, by 0.2%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods decreased marginally, by 0.1%.
As regards price changes in the first half of 2013 over the same period in 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 0.4%, while those of domestic exports increased by 3.2%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 0.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 0.6%.
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 periods in 2012, the index decreased marginally, by 0.1% in both June 2013 and the first half of 2013.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing June 2013 with June 2012, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) increased by 1.4%. On the other hand, the total export volume to Japan, India and the USA decreased by 1.9%, 2.2% and 3.6% respectively. Concurrently, a double-digit decrease of 17.0% was recorded for the total export volume to Taiwan.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to India, Japan and the Mainland decreased by 2.4%, 2.1% and 1.0% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to the USA and Taiwan increased by 1.4% and 3.9% respectively.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing June 2013 with June 2012, the import volume from Singapore and the Mainland increased by 7.3% and 4.0% respectively. On the other hand, the import volume from Japan, Taiwan and the USA decreased by 2.6%, 2.9% and 3.7% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from Singapore, the Mainland and Japan decreased by 1.8%, 1.2% and 0.1% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Taiwan and the USA increased by 2.9% and 4.3% respectively.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the June 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, August 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:30
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