As regards price changes in the first ten months of 2006 over the same period in 2005, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 0.9 percent, while those of domestic exports decreased by 2.4 percent. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 0.7 percent. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.0 percent.
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 2005, the index decreased by 1.4 percent in October 2006 and 1.3 percent in the first ten months of 2006.
In October 2006, the re-export volume of "raw materials and semi-manufactures" increased by 19.2 percent over October 2005. Significant increases in re-export volume were noted for "chemical elements and compounds".
On the other hand, decreases in re-export volume were recorded for "wool and animal hair, and yarn, thread and fabrics of wool and animal hair". In October 2006, the volume of re-exports of "consumer goods" increased by 3.4 percent over October 2005. Substantial increases in re-export volume were recorded for "clothing".
Comparing October 2006 with October 2005, the volume of domestic exports of "clothing" by 47.2 percent. Decreases in import volume were recorded for "wool and animal hair, and yarn, thread and fabrics of wool and animal hair".
Comparing October 2006 with October 2005, the import prices of raw materials increased by 4.8 percent.
Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong
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