Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in June 2024
Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for June 2024 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 13) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In June 2024, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 6.8% and 5.6% respectively over June 2023.
Comparing the first half of 2024 with the same period in 2023, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 7.6% and 3.7% respectively.
Comparing the second quarter of 2024 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 1.7% and 0.4% respectively.
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 2024 with June 2023, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 3.6% and 2.7% respectively.
As regards price changes in the first half of 2024 over the same period in 2023, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 4.2% and 3.8% respectively.
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 2023, the index increased by 0.9% in June 2024 and 0.4% in the first half of 2024.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing June 2024 with June 2023, increases were recorded for the total export volume to the USA (32.9%), Vietnam (31.0%), Taiwan (28.8%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (6.8%). On the other hand, the total export volume to India decreased by 21.0%.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the USA (6.8%), the Mainland (4.6%), Taiwan (4.1%) and Vietnam (1.0%) increased. On the other hand, the total export prices to India decreased by 2.6%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing June 2024 with June 2023, increases were recorded for the import volume from Korea (29.7%), Singapore (10.4%), the Mainland (8.5%) and Taiwan (5.1%). On the other hand, the import volume from Japan decreased by 6.0%.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (6.1%), Singapore (4.3%), the Mainland (2.9%), Taiwan (1.0%) and Japan (1.0%).
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the June 2024 issue of "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230).
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).
Source: AI-generated images
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 21) detected three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected etomidate (the main ingredient of "space oil drug"), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, and suspected dangerous drugs by outgoing passengers at the Lo Wu Control Point, the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. A total of four suspected "space oil drug" capsules, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug", 1.4 grams of suspected ketamine and 12.63 grams of suspected cocaine were seized.
The first case involved a local male passenger, aged 40, who went to the Mainland via the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules were found in his briefcase and 1.4g of suspected ketamine was found inside the underpants the man was wearing. He was subsequently arrested.
The second case involved a 23-year-old Mainland female passenger. The woman departed for the Mainland via the West Kowloon Station of the XRL yesterday. During customs clearance, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug" was found. She was then arrested.
The third case involved a local female passenger, aged 31, who went to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules and 12.63g of suspected cocaine were found in her handbag and underwear. She was then arrested.
The man in the first case has been released on bail pending further investigation. The arrested woman of the second case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and the case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 23). The arrested woman of the third case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drugs and the case will be brought up at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, any person who possesses any dangerous drug commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for seven years. Any person who traffics any dangerous drug commits an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases