+
18
The import volume of foodstuffs increased marginally by 0.5% in December 1995 compared with December 1994.
Significant increases in the import volume were noted of sugar; and wheat and flour. However, decreases in the import volume were noted of soya bean oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil and lard; and animals of the bovine species, live.
Over the same period of comparison, the import volume of consumer goods increased by 3%.
Significant increases in the import volume were noted of passenger motor cars; and footwear. However, decreases in the import volume were recorded in household- type electrical appliances; and alcoholic beverages.
The import volume of raw materials and semi-manufactures increased by 13% in December 1995 compared with December 1994.
Significant increases in the import volume were noted of iron and steel; and leather and dressed fur skins. However, the import volume of yarn of wool and mixtures: and silk fabrics declined.
Imports of fuels increased by 21% in volume in December 1995 compared with December 1994.
As regards capital goods, the import volume increased by 29% in December 1995 over December 1994.
Notable increases were recorded in the import volume of transport equipment; and construction machinery. The import volume of textile machinery however declined.
Comparing December 1995 with December 1994, the import prices of all the end-use categories increased: raw materials and semi-manufactures (+3.5%), consumer goods (+2.2%), foodstuffs (+2%), capital goods (+1%) and fuels (+0.4%).
Details of the above statistics are published in the December 1995 issue of the Hong Kong Trade Index Numbers.
Page 20Page 21