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The changes in the value, unit value and volume of imports by end-use category are shown in Table 3.
The import volume of foodstuffs increased by 46% in January 1995 compared with January 1994.
Significant increases were recorded in the import volume of soya bean oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil and lard; and sugar. However, decreases in the import volume were noted of animals of the bovine species, live; and swine, live.
Over the same period of comparison, the import volume of consumer goods increased by 18%.
Increases in import volume were recorded in all classes of consumer goods, especially in cameras, flashlight apparatus and supplies for photography; watches; miscellaneous made-up articles of textile materials; and radios, television-sets, gramophones, records, tape recorders and amplifiers.
The import volume of raw materials and semi-manufactures increased by 18% in January 1995 compared with January 1994.
Significant increases in import volume were noted of raw cotton; and wool and other animal hair. However, the import volume of silk fabrics; and paper and paperboard declined.
Imports of fuels increased by 141% in volume in January 1995 compared with January 1994.
As regards capital goods, the import volume increased by 37% in January 1995 over January 1994.
Notable increases were recorded in the import volume of transport equipment: and scientific, medical, optical, measuring and controlling instruments and apparatus. The import volume of textile machinery however declined.
Comparing January 1995 with January 1994, the import prices of most end-use categories increased: raw materials and semi-manufactures (+7.8%), foodstuffs (+5.0%), consumer goods (+4.6%), and capital goods (+3.6%). The import prices of fuels however decreased by 1.3%.
Details of the above statistics are published in the January 1995 issue of the "Hong Kong Trade Index Numbers".