Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for April 2010 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 17) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

    In April 2010, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 16.9% over April 2009, while that of domestic exports increased by 8.6%.  Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 16.7%.  Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 21.5%.

    Comparing the first four months of 2010 with the same period in 2009, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods grew significantly, by 21.6%, while that of domestic exports increased by 17.0%.  Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 21.5%.  Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 28.5%.

    Comparing the three-month period ending April 2010 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 9.3%.  Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 9.4%, while that of domestic exports increased by 8.3%.  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 April 2010 with April 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 4.0%, while those of domestic exports increased by 5.6%.  Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 4.0%.  Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 6.1%.

    As regards price changes in the first four months of 2010 over the same period in 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 3.1%, while those of domestic exports increased by 3.8%.  Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 3.1%.  Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 4.3%.

    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 2009, the index decreased by 2.0% in April 2010 and 1.1% in the first four months of 2010.

    Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

    In April 2010, the total export volume to Taiwan rose sharply, by 41.1% over April 2009.  Concurrently, the total export volume to Japan, the mainland of China (the Mainland) and the USA increased by 26.7%, 17.9% and 8.5% respectively.  On the other hand, the total export volume to Germany decreased by 13.4%.

    Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the Mainland (+6.7%), Taiwan (+6.0%), Germany (+1.7%), Japan (+0.6%) and the USA (+0.1%).

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

    In April 2010, the import volume from Singapore and Japan rose sharply, by 31.7% and 30.9% respectively over April 2009.  Concurrently, double-digit increases were recorded for the import volume from Taiwan (+25.4%), the Mainland (+19.3%) and the USA (+16.2%).  

    Comparing April 2010 with April 2009, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Taiwan (+14.6%), Singapore (+14.1%), Japan (+5.1%), the Mainland (+4.1%) and the USA (+4.1%).

Further information

    Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4918).

Tables

Ends

June 17, 2010