The Central Bureau of Statistics reported that the import price indices in goods (excluding ships, aircraft, fuels and diamonds), remained unchanged in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 1.0% % in the last quarter of 2013.
The export price indices in goods (excluding ships, aircraft and diamonds), decreased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 1.4% % in the last quarter of 2013.
Import Prices Indices - Goods
Import price index increased by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2014, continuing an increase of 1.2% in the last quarter of 2013.
Detailed data by import destinations show that in the first quarter of 2014 price import index of diamonds increased by 0.7% and import price index of production inputs (excl. diamonds and fuels) increased by 0.5%. However, import price index of investment goods (excluding ships and aircraft) decreased by 0.7% and import price index of consumer goods decreased by 0.1%.
Import price index of production inputs (excl. diamonds and fuels) increased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2014. Detailed data indicate that import price index of raw food products increased by 2.9% and import price index of wood and its products increased by 1.9%. However, import price index for agriculture decreased by 1.3% and import price index for precious metals decreased by 1.1%.
Import price index of consumer goods decreased by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 1.7% in the last quarter of 2013. Detailed data indicate that import price index of durable goods (furniture and electrical equipment and transport equipment) decreased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 2.2% in the last quarter of 2013.
The main decrease was in import price index of furniture and electrical equipment that decreased by 1.2%. However, import price index of non-durable goods (food, beverages and medicines, clothing and footwear and house-hold utensils) increased by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2014, continuing an increase of 1.3% in the last quarter of 2013. The main increase was in import price index of house-hold utensils (0.4%) and price index of imports of food beverages and medicines (0.2%).
Import price index of investment goods (excluding ships and aircraft) decreased by 0.7%, after an increase of 2.2% in the last quarter of 2013. Detailed data indicate that import of machinery and equipment price index, (constituting about 65% of imports investment goods), decreased by 0.2%, after an increase of 1.2% in the last quarter of 2013.
Import price index of fuels remained unchanged in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 0.8% in the last quarter of 2013.
Import price index of diamonds increased by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2014, continuing an increase of 3.6% in the last quarter of 2013.
Export Prices Indices - Goods
Export price index increased by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2014, continuing an increase of 1.5% in the last quarter of 2013.
Export price index of manufacturing mining & quarrying (excl. worked diamonds) decreased by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 1.4% in the last quarter of 2013.
Export price index of mining and quarrying increased by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2014, after a decrease of 3.7% in the last quarter of 2013.
Export price index of manufacturing (excluding mining & quarrying and worked diamonds) decreased by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 1.4% in the last quarter of 2013.
Breakdown of Price Indices of Manufacturing Exports, by Technological Intensity
Export price index of manufacture in high technology industries decreased by 0.9% in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase in the last four quarters. Detailed data by industries indicate a decrease in export price index of manufacture pharmaceutical products (2.3%) and in export price index of computer, manufacture of electronic and optical products (0.3%). High technology Industries constitute about 44% of total manufacturing exports (excl. diamonds).
Export price index of medium-high technology industries decreased by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2014, after an increase of 0.7% in the last quarter of 2013. Detailed data by industries, point to a decrease in export price index of manufacture of chemical and chemical products (1.1%).
However, export price index of manufacture of electrical equipment increased by 4.0% and export price index of manufacture of other transport equipment increased by 1.4%. Medium-high technology industries constitute about 37% of total manufacturing exports (excl. diamonds).
Export price index of manufacture in medium-low technology industries increased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2014, after a decrease of 1.0% in the last quarter of 2013. Detailed data by industries, point to an increase in export price index of manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (4.1%) and export price index of manufacture of rubber and plastic products (0.2%).
However, export price index of manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products decreased by 6.7% and export price index manufacture of basic metals decreased by 2.3%. Medium-low technology industries constitute about 12% of total manufacturing exports (excl. diamonds).
Export price index of low technology industries increased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2014, continuing an increase of 0.4% in the last quarter of 2013. Detailed data by industries, point to an increase in export price index of manufacture of furniture (3.4%), export price index of manufacture of wearing apparel (2.6%) and export price index of manufacture of food products (1.8%).
