FBoS Release No: 27, 2017

09^th May 2017

Provisional data put the total value of goods imported in January 2017 at $418.7 million while the value of total exports was $137.0 million. (Refer Graph I).

Compared to January 2016, total imports increased by $107.6 million (34.6%) whereas total exports decreased by $4.8 million (3.4%).

The January 2017 trade deficit amounted to $281.7 million compared to $247.7 million a month earlier (December).

HIGHLIGHTS

IMPORTS

The percentage breakdown of major import commodities as categorized by the Harmonized System (HS) codes are as follows;

Table 1: Major contributors to Imports FJD [Millions]

Compared to January 2016, the import categories recording notable increases were:

• Mineral Products [HS 25-27], up $32.5 million (70.9%) to $78.4 million due to increased imports of gas oil (diesel);
• Machinery & mechanical & electrical appliances & parts thereof [HS 84-85], up $24.3 million (44.7%) to $78.6 million due to increased imports of moulding or retreading pneumatic tyres;
• Base metals & articles thereof [HS 72-83], up $12.3 million (48.5%) to $37.6 million due to increased imports of iron or steel;
• Vehicles, aircraft & associated transport equipment [HS 86-89], up $11.8 million (36.5%) to $43.9 million due to increased imports of used or reconditioned passenger motor cars; and
• Live animals: animal products [HS 01-05], up $9.9 million (56.3%) to $27.7 million due to increased imports of fresh fish.

Compared to January 2016, there were no notable decreases for import categories.

For the month of January 2017, Fiji’s major sources of imports (Refer Graph III) were:

• Singapore, up $40.3 million (97.8%) to $81.5 million due to increased imports of gas oil (diesel);
• *China – People’s Republic, up $19.4 million (35.9%) to $73.5 million due to increased imports of fresh fish;
• New Zealand, up $9.6 million (17.9%) to $63.1 million due to increased imports of lamb;
• Australia, up $4.0 million (7.4%) to $57.2 million due to increased imports of other meat of sheep; and
• Korea, Republic of, up $14.0 million (191.7%) to $21.3 million due to increased imports gas oil (diesel).

* Imports of fresh fish from China – People’s Republic refer to fish caught outside Fiji’s EEZ (High seas) by fishing vessels identified according to the country of registration.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS

The percentage breakdown of major domestic export commodities as categorized by the Harmonized System (HS) codes are as follows;

Table 2: Major contributors to Domestic Exports FJD [Millions]

Compared to January 2016, the domestic export category recording a notable increase was:

• Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits & tobacco [HS 16-24], up $11.5 million (64.1%) to $29.5 million due to increased exports of mineral water.

Compared to January 2016, the domestic export categories recording notable decreases were:

• Wood, cork & articles thereof & plaiting material [HS 44-46], down $7.4 million (78.3%) to $2.1 million due to decreased exports of woodchips; and
• Live animals: animal products [HS 01-05], down $6.1 million (45.3%) to $7.4 million due to decreased exports of fresh fish.

For the month of January 2017, Fiji’s major domestic export destinations (Refer Graph V) were:

• United States of America, up $9.3 million (55.5%) to $26.0 million due to increased exports of mineral water;
• Australia, down $6.6 million (32.3%) to $13.8 million due to decreased exports of gold;
• New Zealand, down $3.9 million (50.1%) to $3.9 million due to decreased exports of dalo (taro);
• Vanuatu, up $0.9 million (40.1%) to $3.0 million due to increased exports of flour; and
• Samoa, down $0.7 million (20.7%) to $2.5 million due to decreased exports of biscuits.

  * Domestic export of gold is under query.

RE-EXPORTS

The percentage breakdown of major re-export commodities as categorized by the Harmonized System (HS) codes are as follows;

Table 3: Major contributors to Re-exports FJD [Millions]

Compared to January 2016, the re-export category recording a notable increase was:

• Mineral products [HS 25-27], up $8.8 million (33.4%) to $35.1 million due to increased re-exports of aviation turbine fuel.

Compared to January 2016, there were no notable decreases for re-export categories.

For the month of January 2017, Fiji’s major re-export destinations (Refer Graph VII) were:

• China - People’s Republic, down $0.1 million (1.2%) to $8.0 million due to decreased re-exports of line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipe line;
• Tonga, up $1.7 million (30.1%) to $7.2 million due to increased re-exports of gas oil (diesel);
• New Zealand, down $4.0 million (50.7%) to $3.9 million due to decreased re-exports of cigarettes containing tobacco;
• Japan, up $0.3 million (10.8%) to $3.4 million due to increased re-exports of fresh fish; and
• Cook Islands, up $1.1 million (51.6%) to $3.1 million due to increased re-exports of gas oil (diesel).

Below presents the main features of Fiji’s International Merchandise Trade Statistics for the Month of January 2017.

CLICK HERE FOR RELATED TABLES

For further enquiries please contact Mrs. Veenita Miller on email or telephone 331 5822 (ext. 386 241) or direct line 323 0841.

The International Merchandise Trade Statistics for February 2017 will be released in May 2017.