Trade value up by 17% in Q4 in 2010

Overview of regional trade flows:

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2010 with the same period in 2009, the region with the largest growth rate was South and Central America with exports growing by 25% and imports by 30%. Asian exports rose by about 23%, and imports by around 22% on a "year-on-year" basis.

The value of world merchandise trade was 17% higher in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, according to WTO figures released on 14 March 2011. These short-term "value" figures should not be confused with the annual trade growth figures, which are "volume" data using "constant dollars" with inflation taken into account.

Over the year 2010, merchandise exports increased by 22% in value. A more comprehensive analysis of the annual picture with statistics in volume terms, the latest trends, and a forecast for the coming year will be released in early April. Moreover, WTO short-term merchandise trade values are not seasonally adjusted. Seasonal patterns, therefore, considerably affect the quarter on quarter (Q-o-Q) and month on month (M-o-M) developments in world trade, and this, in turn, affects comparisons between the trade developments in individual regions and economies.

Imports are valued cif (cost, insurance, and freight included) while exports are fob (free on board).