Volume & price statistics of external merchandise trade in March

14 May '07

3 min read

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 increased by 0.2% in March 2007 and 0.1% in the first quarter of 2007. Changes in the value, unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination.

In March 2007, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) and Japan increased by 16.1% and 0.9% respectively over March 2006. On the other hand, the total export volume to the United Kingdom, USA and Germany decreased by 8.6%, 9.7% and 12.1% respectively over the same period of comparison.

Comparing March 2007 with March 2006, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the Mainland (+2.9%), Japan (+2.2%), the United Kingdom (+2.1%), USA (+2.0%) and Germany (+1.6%). Changes in the value, unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier.

In March 2007, the import volume from Singapore grew significantly, by 29.7%, over March 2006. Double-digit growth was also recorded for the import volume from USA (+17.2%) and Japan (+11.6%) over the same period of comparison. Concurrently, the import volume from the Mainland and Taiwan increased by 8.7% and 5.2% respectively.

Comparing March 2007 with March 2006, the import prices from the Mainland, Taiwan and Japan increased by 3.6%, 2.8% and 2.0% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from USA and Singapore decreased by 0.5% and 2.4% respectively.

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