External Merchandise Trade Statistics for September 2013

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for September 2013 amounted to MOP678 million, down by 9% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP544 million) and domestic exports (MOP134 million) decreased by 5% and 22% respectively. Total merchandise import reached MOP6.51 billion, up by 7% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.83 billion for September 2013. In the third quarter of 2013, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.14 billion) dropped by 3% year-on-year, but that of merchandise import (MOP20.50 billion) rose by 15%, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP18.36 billion. In the first three quarters of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 9% year-on-year to MOP6.73 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP5.23 billion) increased by 19%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.50 billion) decreased by 14%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 13% to MOP58.74 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP52.01 billion for the first three quarters of 2013. From January to September 2013, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP3.59 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.22 billion) increased by 14% and 24% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP269 million) and the EU (MOP208 million) decreased by 30% and 15% respectively. In addition, exports of Non-textiles (MOP6.08 billion) expanded by 14% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP753 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP472 million) surged by 83% and 154% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP653 million) decreased by 20%, of which exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP220 million) declined by 30%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP19.20 billion) and the EU (MOP13.55 billion) increased by 13% and 11% respectively year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 18% to MOP37.63 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP6.95 billion), Watches (MOP4.49 billion) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP1.90 billion) increasing by 26%, 20% and 71% respectively. Imports of Construction materials (MOP1.94 billion) grew by 40%. External merchandise trade reached MOP65.47 billion in the first three quarters of 2013, up by 12% compared with MOP58.25 billion a year earlier.