The depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar in the last quarter
of 1982 and in the first quarter of 1983 was probably responsible for the faster rate of
faster rate of increase in import prices. The following table
the various end-use categories:
shows the
the import unit value indexes for
Unit value indexes of imports by end-use categories (1981-100)
Food-
Consumer
Raw materials and semi-
Capital All
stuffs goods Fuels manufactures
goods imports
1982 Aug
106
104
97
104
110
104
Sep
108
103
98
103
109
104
Oct
110
107
103
105
114
107
Nov
112
106
106
106
116
108
Dec
113
105
107
105
114
107
1983 Jan
112
108
105
107
117
109
Feb
113
110
106
110
120
111
6.4
A
The five major end-use categories of imports showed
generally similar patterns of increase in import prices.
comparison of their rates of increase in the two six-month
periods, February
February 1982 to August 1982 and August 1982 to February 1983, is given below:
Rates of increase in
unit value index of imports (%)
February 1982 to
August 1982
August 1982 to February 1983
Foodstuffs
1
7
Consumer goods
-2
6
Fuels
-1
9
Raw materials and
-4
6
semi-manufactures
Capital goods
-3
All imports
ώ
7
ง.
9
39
/Prices