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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for October 2013 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 19) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In October 2013, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 7.6% over October 2012, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 9.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 7.3%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 5.8%.
Comparing the first ten months 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 9.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 3.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 4.1%.
Comparing the three-month period ending October 2013 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.2%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 2.2%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 3.0%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 2.0%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing October 2013 with October 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.4%, while those of domestic exports increased by 1.3%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.4%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 1.6%.
As regards price changes in the first ten months of 2013 over the same period in 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 1.0%, while those of domestic exports increased by 2.6%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.1%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 0.7%.
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 increased by 0.7% and 0.3% in October 2013 and in the first ten months of 2013 respectively.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing October 2013 with October 2012, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) and Japan increased by 9.0% and 1.5% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to Taiwan, Germany and the USA decreased by 2.1%, 5.3% and 5.6% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: Taiwan (+7.6%), the Mainland (+3.1%), Germany (+1.9%), the USA (+1.3%) and Japan (+1.2%).
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing October 2013 with October 2012, a double-digit growth of 16.7% was recorded for the import volume from the USA. Concurrently, the import volume from the Mainland and Singapore increased by 6.0% and 1.9% respectively. On the other hand, the import volume from Taiwan and Japan decreased by 0.7% and 2.1% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from Singapore, the Mainland, Taiwan and the USA increased by 2.3%, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.3% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Japan decreased by 1.4%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the October 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, December 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:30
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