Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for June 2010 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 12) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

In June 2010, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods grew significantly, by 23.0% over June 2009, while that of domestic exports went up significantly, by 28.6%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 23.1%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 24.1%.

Comparing the first half of 2010 with the same period in 2009, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods grew significantly, by 21.4%, while that of domestic exports increased by 18.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 21.4%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 26.7%.

Comparing the second quarter of 2010 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 3.9%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 4.2%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 5.8%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased slightly, by 0.2%.

Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.

Comparing June 2010 with June 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 3.7%, while that of domestic exports increased by 6.7%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 3.8%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 6.8%.

As regards price changes in the first half of 2010 over the same period in 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 3.4%, while those of domestic exports increased by 4.7%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 3.4%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 5.2%.

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 2.8% in June 2010 and 1.7% in the first half of 2010.