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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for January 2007 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department today (March 19) released the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In January 2007, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 10.5% over January 2006, while that of domestic exports decreased significantly, by 37.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 7.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 12.2%.
Comparing the three months ending January 2007 with the three months ending January 2006, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods rose by 15.0%, while that of domestic exports fell significantly, by 34.9%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods grew by 11.5%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 13.2%.
Comparing the three-month period ending January 2007 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 1.5%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 2.6%, while that of domestic exports decreased by 19.5%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 0.7%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing January 2007 with January 2006, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.8%, and those of domestic exports marginally, by 0.1%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.7%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.7%.
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 2006, the index was virtually unchanged in January 2007.
Changes in the value, unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
In January 2007, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) increased by 19.9% over January 2006.
The total export volume to the United Kingdom decreased by 1.4% in January 2007 over January 2006.
In January 2007, the volume of total exports to Germany decreased by 4.5% over January 2006.
Over the same periods of comparison, the total export volume to Japan and USA decreased by 4.9% and 5.2% respectively.
Comparing January 2007 with January 2006, the total export prices to all destinations increased: Germany (+2.9%), the Mainland (+2.9%), USA (+2.4%), the United Kingdom (+2.2%) and Japan (+1.5%).
Changes in the value, unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing January 2007 with January 2006, the import volume from USA increased significantly, by 37.1%.
The import volume from Japan increased by 20.4% in January 2007 over January 2006.
In January 2007, the import volume from Singapore increased by 14.2% over January 2006.
Over the same periods of comparison, the import volume from the Mainland increased by 11.7%, while that from Taiwan decreased by 6.1%.
Comparing January 2007 with January 2006, the import prices from Taiwan, the Mainland, USA and Japan increased by 7.6%, 2.8%, 1.7% and 0.9% respectively. On the other hand, the import price from Singapore decreased by 0.9%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the January 2007 issue of the "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers".
Users can download this publication free of charge at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
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 and the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.isd.gov.hk/eng/bookorder.htm). Print versions if purchased online are offered a discount, at 85% of their original prices.
Moreover, enquiries on trade indices may be directed to the Census and Statistics Department (Tel. : 2582 4918).
Ends/Monday, March 19, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:15
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