FBoS Release No: 64, 2016
3rd October 2016
Provisional data put the value of goods imported in May 2016 at $309.5 million while the value of total exports was $119.8 million. (Refer Graph I).
Compared to May 2015, imports and total exports decreased by $86.4 million (21.8%) and $35.5 million (22.9%) respectively.
The May 2016 trade deficit amounted to $189.6 million compared to $112.2 million a month earlier.
HIGHLIGHTS
IMPORTS
The percentage breakdown of major import types as categorized by the Harmonized System (HS) codes are as follows;
Table 1: Major contributors to Imports FJD [Millions]
Compared to May 2015, the import category recording a notable increase was:
- Vegetable products [HS 06-14], up $6.1 million (43.2%) to $20.0 million due to increased imports of wheat and meslin.
Compared to May 2015, the import categories recording notable decreases were:
- Vehicles, aircraft & associated transport equipment [HS 86-89], down $58.2 million (56.8%) to $44.3 million due to decreased imports of aircrafts;
- Live animals: animal products [HS 01-05], down $12.6 million (48.2%) to $13.5 million due to decreased imports of fresh fish;
- Plastic, rubber & articles thereof [HS 39-40], down $9.2 million (51.4%) to $8.7 million due to decreased imports of articles of plastic for the packing of goods;
- Photographic & optical, medical & surgical goods & clocks/watches & musical instruments [HS 90-92], down $6.4 million (65.4%) to $3.4 million due to decreased imports of other instruments and appliances used in dental science;
- Chemicals and allied products [HS 28-38], down $5.5 million (25.7%) to $15.9 million due to decreased imports of pharmaceutical products and
- Base metals & articles thereof [HS 72-83], down $5.5 million (27.2%) to $14.8 million due to decreased imports of iron or steel.
Graph II is relevant.
For the month of May 2016, Fiji’s major sources of imports (Refer Graph III) were:
- Singapore, up $1.9 million (3.2%) to $60.8 million due to increased imports of gas oil (diesel);
- Australia, up $9.9 million (21.9%) to $55.1 million due to increased imports of wheat and meslin;
- China - People’s Republic, up $1.5 million (2.9%) to $51.3 million due to increased imports of motor vehicles for the transport of goods;
- New Zealand, down $7.0 million (12.2%) to $50.3 million due to decreased imports of milk and cream and
- Japan, up $7.7 million (55.1%) to $21.7 million due to increased imports of vehicles.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
The percentage breakdown of major domestic export types as categorized by the Harmonized System (HS) codes are as follows;
Table 2: Major contributors to Domestic Exports FJD [Millions]
Compared to May 2015, there were no notable increases for domestic export categories.
Compared to May 2015, the domestic export categories recording notable decreases were:
- Pearls, precious, semi-precious stones & metals [HS 71], down $8.2 million (98.9%) to $0.1 million due to decreased exports of gold and
- Wood, cork & articles thereof & plaiting material [HS 44-46], down $7.8 million (68.2%) to $3.6 million due to decreased exports of woodchips.
For the month of May 2016, Fiji’s major domestic export destinations (Refer Graph V) were:
- United States of America, down $5.1 million (19.0%) to $21.8 million due to decreased exports of mineral water;
- *Australia, down $6.6 million (37.3%) to $11.1 million due to decreased exports of gold;
- Vanuatu, up $2.5 million (62.5%) to $6.6 million due to increased exports of sweet biscuits;
- New Zealand, down $1.8 million (26.7%) to $4.8 million due to decreased exports of gold and
- Kiribati, up $2.3 million (232.8%) to $3.2 million due to increased exports of pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone.
* Domestic export of gold is under query.
RE-EXPORTS
The percentage breakdown of major re-exports types as categorized by the Harmonized System (HS) codes are as follows;
Table 3: Major contributors to Re-exports FJD [Millions]
Compared to May 2015, there were no notable increases for re-export categories.
Compared to May 2015, the re-export category recording a notable decrease was:
- Live animals: animal products [HS 01-05], down $14.2 million (79.7%) to $3.6 million due to decreased re-exports of fresh fish.
For the month of May 2016, Fiji’s major re-export destinations (Refer Graph VII) were:
- Tonga, down $3.1 million (44.4%) to $3.9 million due to decreased re-exports of gas oil (diesel);
- United States of America, up $0.8 million (38.1%) to $3.0 million due to increased re-exports of television cameras, video cameras and digital cameras;
- New Zealand, up $0.4 million (13.7%) to $3.0 million due to increased re-exports of other parts of aeroplanes or helicopters;
- Australia, down $1.1 million (29.3%) to $2.7 million due to decreased re-exports of other parts of rock drilling or earth boring tools and
- Cook Islands, up $0.7 million (38.9%) to $2.4 million due to increased re-exports of aviation turbine fuel.
Below presents the main features of Fiji’s International Merchandise Trade Statistics for the Month of May 2016.
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 June 2016 will be released in September 2016.