Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for June 2014 amounted to MOP792 million, up by 7% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP626 million) and domestic exports (MOP166 million) rose by 8% and 1% respectively. Total merchandise import was MOP6.93 billion, up by 9% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.14 billion.

In the second quarter of 2014, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.56 billion) and merchandise import (MOP21.69 billion) increased by 14% and 11% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP19.13 billion.

In the first half year of 2014, total value of merchandise export increased by 10% year-on-year to MOP5.04 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP4.07 billion) increased by 14%, but that of domestic exports (MOP972 million) decreased by 4%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 14% to MOP43.46 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP38.42 billion.

Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP3.06 billion) and the EU (MOP156 million) in the first half year of 2014 increased by 20% and 7% year-on-year, while export to Mainland China (MOP721 million) and the USA (MOP161 million) decreased by 5% and 11% respectively.

Exports of Non-textiles (MOP4.68 billion) increased by 12% year-on-year, of which exports of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP944 million) and Clocks & watches (MOP590 million) rose by 37% and 86% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP362 million) decreased by 16%, of which exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP117 million) declined by 17%.

By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP13.91 billion) and the EU (MOP11.07 billion) increased by 11% and 26% year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 16% to MOP27.99 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP5.21 billion) and Watches (MOP4.29 billion) increasing by 35% and 65% respectively. Moreover, imports of Construction materials (MOP1.74 billion) grew by 36%.

External merchandise trade reached MOP48.50 billion in the first half year of 2014, up by 14% compared with MOP42.70 billion a year earlier.