As regards price changes in the first five months of 2007 over the same period in 2006, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 2.6%, while those of domestic exports increased by 0.5%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.4%.
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 marginally, by 0.1%, in May 2007. It remained virtually unchanged in the first five months of 2007.
In May 2007, double-digit growth was recorded for the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+16.4%) and Germany (+13.3%) over May 2006. Concurrently, the total export volume to Japan increased by 7.7%, whereas those to USA and the United Kingdom decreased by 2.7% and 9.0% respectively.
Comparing May 2007 with May 2006, the total export prices to the Mainland, the United Kingdom, USA and Japan increased by 2.7%, 2.7%, 1.3% and 0.9% respectively. On the other hand, the total export price to Germany decreased marginally, by 0.1%.
Comparing May 2007 with May 2006, the import volume from all main suppliers increased: the Mainland (+16.3%), Singapore (+15.3%), Japan (+13.9%), USA (+10.1%) and Taiwan (+7.3%).
In May 2007, the import prices from Taiwan, the Mainland and Japan increased by 2.8%, 2.5% and 0.7% respectively over May 2006. On the other hand, the import prices from USA and Singapore decreased by 0.6% and 2.3% respectively.
Census and Statistics Department
marketing@alchempro.com
