Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the value of total merchandise export for January 2011 amounted to MOP656 million, up by 5.8% year-on-year, of which value of domestic exports increased by 17.0% to MOP249 million, and that of re-exports held stable at MOP407 million. Value of total merchandise import amounted to MOP4.93 billion, up notably by 39.5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit for January 2011 widened by 46.7% year-on-year to MOP4.28 billion.

Analyzed by destination, value of merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP324 million) and the EU (MOP54 million) in January 2011 increased by 19.8% and 24.8% respectively year-on-year; however, exports to Mainland China (MOP69 million) and the USA (MOP68 million) decreased by 16.5% and 18.2% respectively. Exports of Non-textile rose by 6.9% year-on-year to MOP502 million, with that of Clocks & watches and Tobacco & wine surging by 213.3% and 62.6% respectively; meanwhile, value of Textile & garment exports grew by 2.4% to MOP154 million.

Regarding the origin of imports, value of merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP1.40 billion) and the EU (MOP1.33 billion) expanded by 34.7% and 66.8% respectively year-on-year in January 2011. Imports of Consumer goods soared by 43.1% to MOP3.13 billion, with that of Food & beverages (MOP841 million), Gold jewellery (MOP427 million) and Handbags & wallets (MOP263 million) rising by 45.7%, 21.8% and 106.6% respectively year-on-year. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP800 million) and Raw materials & semi-manufactures (MOP543 million) registered year-on-year increase of 65.1% and 22.2% respectively.

In January 2011, total value of merchandise import and export amounted to MOP5.59 billion, up by 34.5% compared with MOP4.16 billion from a year earlier.