Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in November 2013
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     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for November 2013 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (January 16) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

     In November 2013, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 3.6% over November 2012, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 10.4%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 3.4%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 4.8%.

     Comparing the first eleven months of 2013 with the same period in 2012, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 3.5%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 9.6%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 3.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 4.2%.

     Comparing the three-month period ending November 2013 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 6.0%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 6.2%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 4.5%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 6.3%.

     Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.

     Comparing November 2013 with November 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.7%, whereas those of domestic exports decreased marginally, by 0.1%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.6%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 1.7%.

     As regards price changes in the first eleven months of 2013 over the same period in 2012, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 1.2%, while those of domestic exports increased by 2.3%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.2%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 0.8%.

     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 2012, the index increased by 0.9% and 0.4% in November 2013 and in the first eleven 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 November 2013 with November 2012, the total export volume to the USA, Japan and the mainland of China (the Mainland) increased by 1.5%, 1.2% and 1.1% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to Germany and Taiwan decreased by 8.3% and 8.4% respectively.

     Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: Taiwan (+4.8%), the Mainland (+2.9%), Germany (+1.9%), Japan (+0.7%) and the USA (+0.5%).

     Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.

     Comparing November 2013 with November 2012, double-digit growths were recorded for the import volume from the USA (23.9%) and Taiwan (11.2%). Concurrently, the import volume from Japan, the Mainland and Singapore increased by 6.1%, 5.5% and 0.4% respectively.

     Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from the Mainland and Singapore increased by 2.3% and 1.3% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Taiwan, Japan and the USA decreased by 0.1%, 1.3% and 1.6% respectively.

Further information

     Details of the above statistics are published in the November 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, January 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:30

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