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22 April 1999



World Trade Growth Slower In 1998 After Unusually Strong Growth In 1997

The rate of growth in the volume of world merchandise exports slowed to 3.5 per cent in 1998, from over 10 per cent in 1997, due largely to continuing economic contraction in much of Asia.

World output growth slipped to 2 per cent in 1998, compared to 3 per cent in 1997. Although trade growth still exceeded output growth in 1998, it was by a smaller margin than the average for the 1990s.

Export growth in 1999 is expected to match that of 1998, but for this projection to be realized, trade growth will have to accelerate during the course of 1999. This projection also assumes that slowing output growth in the United States and Western Europe will be offset somewhat by recovery in Asia. A faster than expected slowdown in the United States or Western Europe, or slower recovery in Asia, would clearly imply export volume growth below 3.5 per cent in 1999.

These are among the findings of the WTO's first report on trade developments last year and the outlook for this year (reproduced below). Other highlights include the following:

  • Trade contraction in Asia has been the biggest factor in the global trade slowdown: But there has been a marked slowdown in global export expansion throughout 1998, reflected in the performance of all major regions.

  • Trade performance measured in volume terms differed widely among regions in 1998, particularly on the import side: Imports into Asia fell by 8.5 per cent, stagnated or fell slightly in Africa and the Middle East, and expanded by 7.5 per cent in Western Europe and by some 10 per cent in North America, Latin America and the transition economies. Export volume growth was strongest in the transition economies and Latin America, at 10 per cent and 6.5 per cent


respectively, and increased marginally in Asia (1 per cent). Western Europe's export growth was slightly above the global average, at 4.5 per cent, and that of North America was below the average, at 3 per cent.

  • Exports of merchandise and commercial services amounted to US$6.5 trillion in 1998: In value terms, merchandise exports amounted to US$5.2 trillion and commercial services to US$1.3 trillion. This represents a fall of almost 2 per cent in dollar terms over exports in 1997, but still exceeds the level attained in 1996. This is the strongest decrease since 1982. Exports of commercial services recorded the first annual decline in value terms since comprehensive statistics became available in the mid-1980s.

  • Commodity prices fell sharply in 1998, pushing the share of primary products in world exports below 20 per cent in current price terms for the first time in the post-war period: Oil prices fell by 30 per cent in 1998, or 40 per cent from a year-end to year-end basis. This picture has been mitigated by increased oil prices in the first quarter of 1999. Non-oil primary commodity prices fell by 15 per cent on a yearly average basis in 1998, and by some 10 per cent on a year-end basis. Prices of internationally traded manufactured goods and services also declined in 1998, but by considerably less than those of primary products.

  • Reduced commodity prices have particularly affected the export earnings of African and Middle Eastern countries: In addition to the 11 member countries of OPEC, some eight other countries depend on fuel exports for more than 50 per cent of their export earnings. Over twenty, mostly developing countries, depend on agricultural exports for 35 per cent or more of their export earnings, but these countries are generally not as severely affected as the oil exporters by commodity price falls.

I. Main features of world trade in 1998

World GDP and trade growth slowed in 1998 as the Asian crisis deepened and its repercussions were felt increasingly outside Asia. The volume of world merchandise exports grew by 3.5 per cent in 1998 after an outstanding growth rate of 10.5 per cent in 1997. This export volume growth rate compares with an average growth rate of 6.0 per cent in the period 1990-95. The deceleration in global output growth was less pronounced than for international trade in 1998, as world GDP rose by 2 per cent, or by 1 percentage point less than in 1997 (Chart 1).



The deceleration of global merchandise trade growth continued throughout the year, leaving the global trade level in the fourth quarter of 1998 only slightly above the level reached at the end of 1997. All major regions experienced a marked slowdown of their trade growth in the course of 1998.

The recent cyclical fall in commodity prices, which started in early 1997, continued unabated throughout 1998. Oil prices fell by 30 per cent and non-oil commodity prices by 20 per cent in 1998, with very different implications for various countries and regions of the world. While the share of primary commodities (including processed food) in world merchandise trade was only slightly above one-fifth in 1997, it was more than two-thirds for the Middle East, Africa and Latin America (excluding Mexico). In a sample of 91 developing countries, 67 of them recorded a share of primary products in total merchandise exports above 50 per cent, reaching as high as 95 per cent in some cases.

Prices of internationally traded manufactured goods and services also have declined in 1998, though considerably less than those of primary products. Exchange rate variations, which were large in the course of 1998, can have a major impact on the dollar prices of internationally traded goods. However, as the dollar's average annual appreciation vis-à-vis the ECU (now the Euro) was considerably smaller in 1998 than in 1997, West European export prices measured in dollar terms decreased far less last year than in 1997. This smaller decrease in Europe's export prices more than offset the stronger price declines in all other regions. Therefore, despite the accelerated fall in commodity prices in 1998, the global price decline for all merchandise exports was 5.5 per cent, which was somewhat less pronounced than in 1997.

Trade performance in 1998 differed widely among regions. While oil-exporting regions recorded the strongest annual value declines in merchandise exports, countries directly affected by the Asian financial crisis reported the strongest import decline. The contractionary forces of the Asian crisis and falling commodity prices were, however, attenuated by the robustness of continued economic growth in the United States and strengthened demand in Western Europe. The reversal of private capital flows away from the emerging markets contributed to low interest rates in North America and Western Europe. In addition, falling fuel prices led to weaker import prices and real income gains for net-fuel importing countries.

Western Europe, the world's largest regional trader, was the only region not to record a deceleration in import growth in 1998 compared to 1997. Western Europe's import growth rate of 7.5 per cent was, however, less than the 10 per cent rate recorded by North America, Latin America and the transition economies. In a sharp contrast, imports into Asia fell by nearly 8.5 per cent, and a stagnation or a decrease in import volumes is estimated for Africa and the Middle East.

Regional differences in the volume growth of exports are far less pronounced than for imports. All regions recorded a lower export expansion in 1998 than in the preceding year. The transition economies and Latin America recorded the strongest volume growth. Asia's export volume increased marginally, as the strong contraction of intra-Asian trade was only just offset by a sharp rise in extra-regional flows. Western Europe's export growth remained somewhat above the global average of 3.5 per cent, while that of North America fell below the average.

The dollar value of world merchandise trade declined by 2 per cent, the strongest decrease since 1982. The export value of manufactured goods continued to rise slightly while that of agricultural products, metals and fuels declined. These divergent developments by product category in 1998 pushed the share of primary products below 20 per cent in current price terms for the first time in the post World War II period.

Exports of commercial services recorded the first annual decline in dollar value since 1983. All the three major services categories (i.e., transport, travel and other commercial services) saw a decrease. Exports of goods and commercial services both decreased slightly but at $5225 and $1290 billion respectively, but were still above the levels reached in 1996 (Table 1).

Table 1

World exports of merchandise and commercial services, 1996-98
(Billion dollars and percentage)

 Value Annual change
 1996 19971998 19961997 1998
Merchandise5150 53255225 4.53.5 -2.0
Commercial services1275 13201290 6.73.5 -2.0

II. World trade developments by country and region

In its seventh year of expansion, the United States economy experienced an acceleration in private consumption and continued double-digit investment growth. GDP growth was almost 4 per cent, unchanged from 1997. The booming U.S. economy stimulated intra-NAFTA trade, and sustained exports and output in other regions. North America's merchandise import volume rose by 10.5 per cent in 1998, which was the strongest growth of all regions (Table 2).

Table 2

Growth in the volume of world merchandise trade by selected region, 1990-98
(Annual percentage change)

Exports   Imports
Average
1990-95

1996

1997

1998
 Average
1990-95

1996

1997

1998
6.05.510.5 3.5World 6.56.09.5 4.0
7.06.011.0 3.0North Americaa 7.05.513.0 10.5
8.011.011.0 6.5Latin America12.0 8.522.09.5
5.55.59.5 4.5Western Europe4.5 5.57.57.5
5.55.59.5 5.0European Union (15) 4.55.07.0 7.5
5.06.512.5 10.0Transition economies 2.516.017.0 10.0
7.55.013.0 1.0Asia10.5 6.06.0-8.5
1.51.012.0 -1.5Japan6.5 5.51.5-5.5
11.57.511.5 2.0Six East Asian tradersb 12.04.56.5 -16.0

aCanada and the United States.
bChinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; the Republic of Korea; Singapore and Thailand.

Note: Separate volume data are not available for Africa and the Middle East, although estimates for these regions have been made in order to calculate the world total.

In value terms, North America's merchandise exports decreased slightly in 1998, as volume growth decelerated and prices declined. North America's merchandise imports, however, increased by 4.5 per cent in value terms, leading to a widening of the region's merchandise trade deficit to $253 billion (Table 3). The evolution in North America's commercial services trade mirrored that of merchandise trade, with exports increasing only very slightly and imports rising by 4.5 per cent, reducing further the region's surplus in services trade.

Latin America's GDP and trade growth slowed sharply in 1998 from the exceptionally high levels recorded in 1997. Falling commodity prices, a slowdown in private capital inflows in the second half of 1998 and weaker export markets within the region and in Asia contributed to this development. Marked differences in economic performance occurred for the two largest economies in the region, with trade and output growth slowing strongly in Brazil, while Mexico's trade and output performance remained well above the regional average. Better access to the rapidly expanding United States market and a higher share of manufactures in its merchandise exports are among the factors which explain why Mexico's trade and output developments were, for the fourth year in a row, superior to those of the other Latin American economies.

For Latin America as a whole, the growth in the volume of merchandise imports continued to exceed that of merchandise exports by a large margin, and the region's trade expansion - both imports and exports - remained stronger than the global average. Latin America's merchandise export value, on the other hand, decreased by 2 per cent in 1998, as the expansion of Mexico's exports was more than offset by the decline in exports of all other Latin American countries combined. In particular, Ecuador and Venezuela, the two major oil exporting countries in Latin America, experienced the strongest setback, with decreases in excess of 20 per cent. Latin America's outstandingly strong import growth performance throughout the 1990-97 period became less dynamic last year, although at 5 per cent, this region, together with Western Europe, recorded the highest import growth rate of any region. Mexico's import growth rate of 14 per cent contrasted with the relative stagnation of imports in other Latin American countries. As Mexico has enjoyed an above average rate of growth in trade for a number of years, its share of total trade in the region has risen considerably, accounting for 40 per cent in 1998. Latin America's exports and imports of commercial services are estimated to have expanded by 4 to 5 per cent in 1998.


Table 3

Growth in the value of world merchandise trade by region, 1990-98
(Billion dollars and percentage)

Exports (f.o.b.)  Imports (c.i.f.)
ValueAnnual percentage change  ValueAnnual percentage change
19981990-95 19961997 1998  19981990-95 19961997 1998
52257.5 4.53.5-2.0 World5410 7.55.03.0 -1.0
8988.56.5 9.5-1.0North America 11518.06.0 10.54.5
2749.012.5 10.0-2.0Latin America 33914.59.5 19.05.0
11814.020.5 15.06.5Mexico 12912.525.5 23.514.0
1577.08.0 7.0-7.0Other Latin America 21115.52.5 16.50.5
23386.03.5 -0.52.5Western Europe 23595.53.5 -1.55.0
21716.53.5 -0.53.0European Union (15) 21635.53.0 -2.05.5
1787.06.5 5.0-1.0Transition economies 2075.017.0 9.53.0
997.56.0 8.09.0Central/Eastern Europe 13311.517.0 7.011.5
1060.516.5 2.0-16.0Africa 1295.5-1.0 6.0-1.5
263.55.5 6.0-15.0South Africa 2910.5-1.5 9.5-11.0
1381.517.0 4.0-21.0Middle East 1395.57.0 6.5-6.0
129412.00.5 5.5-6.0Asia 109012.04.5 0.5-17.5
3889.0-7.5 2.5-8.0Japan 2817.54.0 -3.0-17.0
18419.01.5 21.00.5China 14020.05.0 2.5-1.5
50414.03.0 2.5-7.5Six East Asian tradersa 43815.03.0 0.5-25.0

aChinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; the Republic of Korea; Singapore and Thailand.

Stronger demand growth in Western Europe contrasted with a weaker global economy in 1998, leading to an import expansion which, for the first time since 1992, exceeded the region's export growth rate. Western Europe was the only major region which recorded an increase in the dollar value of its exports. Imports in value terms increased by 5 per cent, very close to the expansion recorded by both North America and Latin America. The share of Western Europe in world merchandise trade recovered to 44 per cent following a marked decrease between 1990 and 1997. Commercial services imports expanded by 4 per cent in 1998, and commercial services exports by 3 per cent.

The interaction between trade and output in the transition economies in recent years has been unique among the major regions. Sluggish overall economic activity, including a decline in regional output in recent years, has been accompanied by export and import growth rates above the global average. Merchandise imports have expanded significantly faster than world trade in both real and nominal dollar values. Merchandise export growth, at 10 per cent in volume terms, was the highest among all regions. Due to the sharp decline in the dollar export prices, however, the dollar export value of the region decreased slightly.

Several factors have contributed to this situation, where trade growth has been above the world average, while output growth has been lower than the world average. First, inflows of private capital have been strong, in particular foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio investment. Second, FDI has been associated with a strong increase in capital goods imports, which over recent years has supported the expansion of exports. Third, a number of East European countries advanced considerably with their integration into the EU market, in particular Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The strong trade performance of these countries masked a rather mixed picture in other transition economies.

The commercial services trade of the transition economies has been far less dynamic than merchandise trade in the last two years, with exports decreasing slightly and imports rising moderately. The Russian Federation, the region's largest commercial services trader, reported a decline in exports and imports of about 7 per cent in 1998. For Central and Eastern Europe, an increase of 4 per cent was recorded last year.

Africa and the Middle East have suffered the brunt of the decline in primary commodity prices in 1998. Despite a moderate recovery in Africa's GDP - linked to the recovery of agricultural output - Africa's trade remained sluggish. Export values in the region decreased by 16 per cent in 1998. Oil-exporting African countries recorded a decrease in exports exceeding one-quarter. Import values declined only slightly in 1998, but higher trade deficits raise the question whether the 1998 level of import demand can be sustained in 1999. Available data on commercial services also indicate decreases in the value of both exports and imports. As was observed for merchandise trade, exports of services decreased faster than imports.

Being the region with the highest share of fuels in its merchandise exports, the Middle East recorded the strongest contraction in export value of all regions. Exports for the region as a whole shrank by one-fifth. The decline in the dollar export value was, however, associated with an increase in the export volume. The increase in the supply of oil from the region in a period of weak demand has contributed to a steep erosion of oil prices. The region's merchandise imports adjusted to some degree to lower export revenues, falling by 6 per cent in 1998 (Table 4).

Asia recorded the strongest import contraction in volume and value terms of all regions. Import volume decreased by about 8.5 per cent under the impact of Japan's import contraction of 5.5 per cent, and that of the Asia (5) of more than 20 per cent. It is estimated that within Asia only a few countries recorded an increase in import volumes (e.g. Australia, China and India). As intra-Asian trade accounts for about one half of Asia's merchandise exports, the contraction of the area's imports also held down export growth. Asia's export volume rose marginally as the volume decrease for Japan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, China were more than offset by the strong growth of exports of the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. China's exports are also estimated to have expanded moderately in volume terms.

Table 4

Merchandise exports of emerging markets by product category, 1997
(Percentage shares)

 Fuels Metals and minerals Agricultural products ManufacturesTotal
Middle East73 24 21100
Africa44 819 29100
Latin Americaa19 1136 34100
Emerging Asiab5 210 83100
World9 211 78100

aExcluding Mexico.
bAsia, excluding Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The dollar value of Asia's imports registered an unprecedented decline of 17.5 per cent. In 1998 Asia (5) imports contracted by one-third, and those of Japan by 17 per cent (Appendix Charts 1 and 2). Only certain South Asian countries recorded a slight increase in their imports (e.g. India and Sri Lanka). The trade performance of most Asian countries improved in the last quarter of 1998, partly due to the strengthening of the yen and other Asian currencies vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar.

The sharp import contraction in the Asia (5) countries (almost one-third in value terms) is largely explained by the turnaround in private capital flows and the associated drop in domestic investment and consumption levels. The decrease in exports of the Asia (5) countries, however, was stronger than expected even if one takes into account the high share of intra-regional trade in total trade. Despite the strong currency devaluations which boosted the price competitiveness of enterprises in the Asia (5) countries, the combined exports of these countries did not increase their market shares in the major developed markets. In fact, China's exports to the United States, Japan and major European markets expanded faster than those of the Asia (5) countries in 1998.

One of the striking features of world trade in 1998 was the exceptionally large variation in the growth rates among countries measured in value terms. Consequently, the ranking of the leading traders changed dramatically for both merchandise and commercial services trade (see Appendix Tables 1, 2 and 3). The reversal of capital flows in 1997-1998 forced many East Asian economies to cut back sharply on their imports in 1998. Import declines ranged from 26 to 35 per cent (e.g. the Republic of Korea 35 per cent, Thailand 33 per cent, Indonesia 34 per cent and Malaysia 26 per cent). Retained imports of Hong Kong, China and Singapore also contracted in this range, despite their current account surplus position and stronger internal demand.

Contractionary conditions in Japan and the fall in oil prices led to a fall of 17 per cent in the dollar value of imports, to a level below that of Germany, the United Kingdom and France. In general, Canada, Mexico and many West European countries improved their position among the leading importers (and exporters), while those of Asian countries and Russia deteriorated.

Fuel exporters generally recorded the strongest decline in merchandise export value among all countries. For a number of them, the dollar value of export earnings decreased by one-quarter to more than one-third in 1998 (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Libya, Nigeria and Venezuela). Oil exporters and the East Asian traders lost, while Mexico and most West European countries gained in market share.

Last year, China's merchandise exports exceeded those of Hong Kong, China for the first time. The contraction of Russia's trade under the impact of the fall in fuel prices and the outbreak of the financial crisis have lowered Russia's (extra-CIS) exports to below those of Ireland and its imports to less than those of Poland.

Despite the decrease in the nominal value of world trade, a few countries continued to expand their exports by more than 15 per cent. This group comprises Ireland, the Philippines, Hungary and Costa Rica. Throughout the 1990-98 period these countries expanded their exports two times faster than the global average.

The United States consolidated its position as the world leading trader in 1998, accounting for nearly one-sixth of merchandise imports and services exports and one-eighth of merchandise exports and services imports.

East Asian countries' exports of commercial services decreased in 1998 significantly faster than their merchandise exports. One explanation for this development might be that intra-Asian trade is more important for services than for merchandise exports and thereby more affected by the contraction of Asian demand. However, the lack of statistical information on the destination of services exports precludes confirmation of this possibility.

Although price variations in commercial services are estimated to be far smaller than those for merchandise trade in 1998, the variations in the performance of individual services traders were at least as large as those for merchandise traders. Among the leading commercial services exporters, the strongest declines were recorded by Singapore and Malaysia, while India and Spain recorded increases in excess of 10 per cent. The Asia (5) countries recorded contractions in their services imports ranging from about 20 per cent to more than 30 per cent. India, Spain and Ireland recorded import increases between 10 and 20 per cent. Given the provisional nature of the above data and the past experience of substantial revisions even for year-old data, caution is called for in interpreting current services statistics.


III. Repercussions of the fall in commodity prices

In 1998, an increase in the supply of many primary commodities coincided with a slowdown in economic activity, leading to a sharp drop in commodity prices. Prices of non-fuel commodities and crude oil fell by 15 per cent and more than 30 per cent, respectively. Although prices of manufactures decreased as well, prices of primary commodities decreased much faster (for the second year in a row).

As the oil price decline accelerated during the course of the year, the year-over-year change in December 1998 exceeded 40 per cent. For non-fuel primary commodities, the period of weaker prices started earlier and moderated in the second half, with the result that the decline at the end of the year (about 10 per cent) was smaller than the annual average for 1998 (Chart 2). Oil exporters have yet to feel the full impact of lower spot oil prices on their export earnings. Investment and government expenditure is likely to be curtailed in 1999. Import levels will contract further, as such a steep price decline cannot be fully absorbed by a reduction in foreign exchange reserves.


As noted earlier, the steep fall in fuel prices affects in particular the export earnings of the Middle East and Africa. Besides the 11 member countries of OPEC, in about another eight countries fuel exports account for more than one half of export earnings. It is important to note that in the first quarter of 1999, the spot oil price recovered from its low level in December 1998 following the announcement of production cuts by oil producers. It remains to be seen whether this upward trend will continue or the present price gains will prove sustainable. While these trends will lead to downward adjustments in the imports of oil-exporting countries in 1999, related income gains in oil-importing countries will at least partially offset this contractionary tendency in world trade.

Exporters of agricultural products are a larger group than oil exporters. The decline in agricultural prices therefore affected a larger number of countries, but generally less dramatically than the oil exporters. This is for two reasons. First, the decline in agricultural product prices was less steep than for oil. Second, the exporters of agricultural products generally depend less on a single commodity than do the fuel exporters (Appendix Table 4).


IV. Global trade outlook for 1999

The slowdown of world trade and output growth had not been reversed by the end of 1998. While Japan's GDP continued to shrink in the fourth quarter of 1998 and many West European countries recorded a weakening in their economic performance, the U.S. economy accelerated.

Significantly slower GDP growth in Brazil in 1998 and contraction in Russia will negatively affect the growth of neighbouring economies with whom they have extensive trade ties. The sharp contraction of output and trade in the Asia (5) countries appears to have bottomed out, and a moderate recovery is the most likely scenario for 1999. As there is generally a time-lag between reduced export earnings and lower import levels, the steep fall of oil and commodity prices will have its full impact on investment and consumption in the commodity exporting countries only in 1999. The extent of this impact may be mitigated in the case of oil prices, however, should the recent increases in prices prove sustainable.

Global output growth may weaken slightly in 1999. Moderately weaker growth in the United States and Western Europe may not be offset by a lower rate of contraction in Japan. Given the size of the Russian and Brazilian economies in regional output, production levels in the transition economies and Latin America is likely at best remain unchanged from the preceding year.

On the basis of this sluggish output growth, overall trade expansion may not differ much in 1999 from the 3.5 per cent observed in 1998. Even this moderate expansion, however, is associated with major downside risks and would imply an acceleration of trade growth in the course of 1999. If slower output growth in the United States or Western Europe turns out to be more pronounced than presently expected, and if the recovery in East Asia (including Japan) is more delayed than projected by most observers, world trade expansion could be below 3.5 per cent. The United States is expected to record the highest growth rate among the industrial countries in 1999, but on the condition that U.S. consumers do not rapidly correct their historically low savings rate, and that any stock market correction will not have a major impact on investor and consumer confidence.



Appendix Table 1

Leading exporters and importers in world merchandise trade, 1998
(Billion dollars and percentage)

Rank EXPORTERSValue (f.o.b.) ShareChange RankIMPORTERS Value (c.i.f)Share Change
1United States683.0 12.7-1 1United States944.6 17.05
2Germany539.7 10.05 2Germany466.6 8.45
3Japan388.0 7.2-8 3United Kingdom316.1 5.73
4France307.0 5.76 4France287.2 5.27
5United Kingdom272.7 5.1-3 5Japan280.5 5.0-17
6Italy240.9 4.51 6Italy214.0 3.83
7Canada214.3 4.0-1 7Canada205.0 3.72
8Netherlands198.2 3.72 8Hong Kong, China188.7 3.4-12
9China183.8 3.41   retained importsa 38.90.7 -26
10Hong Kong, China174.1 3.2-7 9Netherlands184.1 3.34
  domestic exports 24.30.5 -1110Belgium-Luxembourg 158.82.9 2
            
11Belgium-Luxembourg 171.73.2 211China 140.22.5 -2
12Korea, Rep. of133.2 2.5-2 12Spain 132.8 2.48
13Mexico117.5 2.26 13Mexico128.9 2.314
14Chinese Taipei109.9 2.0 -9 14Chinese Taipei104.2 1.9-9
15Singapore109.8 2.0-12 15Singapore101.5 1.6-23
 domestic exports 63.31.2 -13  retained importsa 54.91.8 -31
16Spain109.0 2.05 16Korea, Rep. of93.3 1.7-35
17Sweden84.5 1.62 17Switzerland 80.0 1.45
18Switzerland78.7 1.53 18Austria68.3 1.25
19Malaysia73.3 1.4-7 19Sweden 67.6 1.23
20Ireland63.3 1.219 20Australia 64.7 1.2-2
            
21Austria61.7 1.15 21Brazil61.0 1.1-6
22Russian Fed.b 56.21.0 -1622Malaysia 58.51.1 -26
23Australia55.9 1.0-11 23Poland48.0 0.913
24Thailand53.6 1.0-7 24Turkey 46.4 0.8-4
25Brazil51.0 0.9-3 25Denmark45.8 0.83
26Indonesia48.8 0.9-9 26Russian Fed.b 44.70.8 -18
27Denmark47.0 0.9-4 27Ireland 43.7 0.811
28Finland42.4 0.84 28India42.9 0.84
29Norway39.6 0.7-18 29Thailand41.8 0.8-33
30Saudi Arabia38.8 0.7-35 30Norway36.2 0.71
 Total of abovec 4748.088.3-1  Total of abovec 4696.084.4-2
 Worldc 5375.0 100.0 -2  Worldc5560.0 100.0-1

aRetained imports are defined as imports less re-exports.
bData exclude trade with the Baltic States and the CIS. Including trade with these States would lift Russian exports and imports to $73.9 billion and $59.5 billion, respectively.
cIncludes significant re-exports or imports for re-export.



Appendix Table 2

Leading exporters and importers in world merchandise trade (excluding European Union intra-trade), 1998
(Billion dollars and percentage)

Rank EXPORTERS Value (f.o.b.) ShareChange Rank IMPORTERS Value (c.i.f)Share Change
1European Union (15) 813.820.30 1United States944.6 22.55
2United States683.0 17.0-12 European Union (15)801.4 19.16
3Japan388.0 9.7-83 Japan280.56.7 -17
4Canada214.3 5.3-14 Canada 205.04.9 2
5China183.8 4.615 Hong Kong, China188.74.5 -12
6Hong Kong, China174.1 4.3-7  retained importsa 38.90.9-26
  domestic exports 24.30.6 -116China 140.23.3-2
7Korea, Rep. of133.2 3.3-27 Mexico 128.93.1 14
8Mexico117.5 2.968 Chinese Taipei 104.22.5 -9
9Chinese Taipei109.9 2.7-99 Singapore101.52.4 -23
10Singapore109.8 2.7-12  retained importsa54.9 1.3-31
  domestic exports 63.31.6 -1310Korea, Rep. of 93.32.2-35
            
11Switzerland78.7 2.0311 Switzerland 80.01.9 5
12Malaysia73.3 1.8-712 Australia64.71.5 -2
13Russian Fed.b 56.21.4-16 13Brazil61.0 1.5-6
14Australia55.9 1.4-1114 Malaysia58.51.4 -26
15Thailand53.6 1.3-715 Poland 48.01.1 13
16Brazil 51.0 1.3-316 Turkey 46.41.1 -4
17Indonesia48.8 1.2-917 Russian Fed.b44.7 1.1-18
18Norway39.6 1.0-1818 India 42.91.0 4
19Saudi Arabia38.8 1.0-3519 Thailand41.81.0 -33
20India33.2 0.8-320 Norway 36.20.9 1
            
21Philippines 29.3 0.71721 Philippines32.00.8 -17
22Czech Rep. 26.4 0.71622 Argentina 31.40.7 3
23South Africa 26.3 0.7-1523 South Africa29.30.7 -11
24Poland 26.3 0.7224 Israel29.10.7 -5
25Turkey 26.1 0.7025 Czech Rep.c28.8 0.76
26Argentina25.2 0.6-126 Indonesia27.40.7 -34
27United Arab Emirates 24.20.6-16 27United Arab Emirates27.0 0.6-10
28Israel 23.3 0.6328 Hungary 25.80.6 22
29Hungary 22.9 0.62029 Saudi Arabia23.70.6 -13
30Venezuela17.2 0.4-2530 Chile18.80.4 -4
 Total of aboved 3704.092.2-4  Total of aboved 3786.090.1-4
 Worldd 4018.0100.0 -4 Worldd 4200.0100.0 -3

aRetained imports are defined as imports less re-exports.
bData exclude trade with the Baltic States and the CIS. Including trade with these States would lift Russian exports and imports to $73.9 billion and $59.5 billion, respectively.
cImports are valued f.o.b.
dIncludes significant re-exports or imports for re-export.



Appendix Table 3

Leading exporters and importers in world trade in commercial services, 1998
(Billion dollars and percentage)

RankEXPORTERS ValueShare ChangeRank IMPORTERSValue ShareChange
1United States 233.618.11 1United States 161.512.56
2United Kingdom 99.57.78 2Germany 121.89.43
3France 78.66.1-2 3Japan109.5 8.5-10
4Germany 75.75.91 4United Kingdom 76.15.97
5Italy 70.15.4-2 5Italy69.3 5.4-1
6Japan 60.84.7-11 6France 62.84.91
7Netherlands 48.33.7-1 7Netherlands 44.83.52
8Spain 48.03.710 8Canada 34.82.7-3
9Belgium-Luxembourg 34.72.74 9Belgium-Luxembourg 33.62.66
10Hong Kong, China 34.22.6-11 10Austria 28.72.21
            
11Austria 31.02.46 11China 28.62.2-5
12Canada 28.82.2-2 12Spain 27.32.112
13Switzerland 26.32.03 13Chinese Taipei 23.41.8-3
14Korea, Rep of 23.61.8-7 14Korea, Rep of 23.01.8-21
15China 23.01.8-6 15Hong Kong, China 22.71.8-2
16Turkey 22.41.717 16Sweden 20.61.66
17Singapore 18.21.4-40 17Brazil 18.91.57
18Sweden 17.41.4-1 18Ireland 18.01.420
19Chinese Taipei 16.61.3-2 19Singapore 18.01.4-7
20Australia 15.81.2-14 20Russian Fed. 17.81.4-7
            
21Denmark 15.71.24 21Australia 16.71.3-9
22Norway 13.91.1-2 22Switzerland 15.01.26
23Russian Fed. 12.91.0-7 23Denmark 14.91.2-1
24Thailand 12.81.0-18 24Norway 14.81.12
25Mexico 11.90.96 25Saudi Arabia 13.91.10
26Malaysia 10.90.8-27 26India 13.71.112
27India 10.50.822 27Mexico 12.51.06
28Greece 9.90.88 28Thailand 12.20.9-29
29Poland 8.90.7-1 29Indonesia 11.90.9-26
30Israel 8.70.74 30Malaysia 11.90.9-32
 Total of above1123 87.0-1  Total of above110085.2 -1
 World1290 100.0-2  World1290 100.0-1

Note: Secretariat estimates based on incomplete or preliminary data.


Appendix Table 4

Traders with a high share of agricultural products in their merchandise exports, 1990 and 1997
(Percentages)

 1990 1997
Malawi92
Belize9190
Paraguay 9082
Mozambique78
Iceland8075
   
Madagascar7072
Costa Rica6467
Nicaragua8963
Uruguay6161
New Zealand6361
   
Ecuador4661
El Salvador4156
Argentina6153
Zimbabwe4451
Honduras8643
   
Bolivia40
Cameroon3637
Chile3337
Colombia3737
Brazil3135
   
Morocco2935
Peru2534
Mauritius3331
Australia3030

Source: WTO, Annual Report 1998.



Appendix Chart 1


Appendix Chart 2

›››Archivo
DESDE LA PRIMERA PÁGINA
Gebrüder Weiss de Austria ha inaugurado una nueva terminal logística en Tirol
Reutte/Lauterach
Se encuentra en Reutte, cerca de la frontera entre Austria y Alemania
Acuerdo Maersk-SIPG para el bunkering de metanol verde en el puerto de Shanghai
Shanghai
Suministro previsto de barco a barco de los nuevos portacontenedores pedidos por la empresa danesa
ESPO, los buques deben utilizar sistemas de planchado en frío en los puertos, si está disponible, ya antes de 2030
Bruselas
Ryckbost: Se espera que los requisitos para los buques relacionados con el uso de electricidad en el lugar de atraque clarifiquen el asunto
ECSA, acuerdo de la UE sobre el combustible de los buques da una fuerte señal política y proporciona objetivos climáticos claros y orientación para la industria
Bruselas/Roma
Los armadores, bienvenidos a nuestras principales instancias
T&E, la decisión de la UE de hoy marca el principio del fin de los combustibles sucios en la industria del transporte marítimo
Bruselas
La organización destacó la necesidad de evitar que las normas acordadas presenten lagunas.
Acuerdo del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo de la UE sobre el uso de combustibles para la descarbonización del transporte marítimo
Acuerdo del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo de la UE sobre el uso de combustibles para la descarbonización del transporte marítimo
Bruselas
A partir de 2034, la cuota de combustible renovable tendrá que ser superior al 2% por ciento. Las emisiones deberán reducirse un 2% en 2025 y un 80% en 2050. A partir de 2030 los buques portacontenedores y los buques de pasajeros tendrán que utilizar la electricidad terrestre en los principales puertos europeos
Suscrito al contrato de venta de los astilleros Hellenic Shipyards al armador griego Prokopiou
Atenas
La licitación se había ganado con una oferta por valor de 62,5 millones de euros.
ESPO presiona por qué los puertos que desempeñan un papel significativo en el suministro energético de la UE también están admitidos en la red RTE-T
Bruselas
Según la asociación, es necesario también tener en cuenta su papel en la aceleración de la propagación de las energías renovables.
En 2022 OOIL logró resultados económicos récord
Hong Kong
En 2022 OOIL logró resultados económicos récord
Disminución del rendimiento en la segunda mitad del año
En 2022 los puertos franceses manejaron 293,7 millones de toneladas de carga (+ 5,1%)
Puertos
La cifra es -6.0% por ciento inferior a la del año anterior a la pandemia de 2019.
Grimaldi firma acuerdo para la adquisición del 67% de la Autoridad Portuaria de Igoumenitsa
Atenas
Grimaldi firma acuerdo para la adquisición del 67% de la Autoridad Portuaria de Igoumenitsa
"Nuestro objetivo es hacer que el aeropuerto griego se dé cuenta de todo su potencial para el beneficio de todos los interesados, desde el transporte marítimo, el transporte y el turismo hasta la comunidad local", dijo Emanuele Grimaldi, quien también es la primera persona en ser capaz de hacer el gobierno griego.
Fedespedi, en 2022 el tráfico de contenedores en los puertos italianos aumentó en 2,4%
Milán
Disminución global del -1,0% de los volúmenes en otros puertos de contenedores en el Mediterráneo
En 2022 el puerto de Hamburgo registró un nuevo récord de mercancías de y para Austria
Hamburgo
Ascendieron a 6,3 millones de toneladas (+ 12%)
Los armadores representan a la UE los casos de envío italiano a la descarbonización
Los armadores representan a la UE los casos de envío italiano a la descarbonización
Bruselas
Messina: el nuevo CII de la OMI, como se piensa hoy, conduce a efectos opuestos en comparación con las salvaguardas medioambientales, penando precisamente a la marina italiana
Protocolo para desarrollar la escala de Alexandria Smisting en un centro de carga intermodal
Alejandría
A finales de 2024, se definirá el plan maestro para la realización de un polo de intercambio modal
El grupo Ferretti compra el astillero Ravennate del Rosetti Marino
Forlì
La adquisición ha previsto una inversión inicial de alrededor de 40 millones de euros.
A.P. Møller-Mærsk venderá el Maersk Supply Service a la sociedad matriz A.P. Møller Holding
Copenhague
A.P. Møller-Mærsk venderá el Maersk Supply Service a la sociedad matriz A.P. Møller Holding
Transacción del valor de 685 millones
Joint venture TX Logistik-Samskip-duisport para gestionar la terminal intermodal logport III en Duisburg
Joint venture TX Logistik-Samskip-duisport para gestionar la terminal intermodal logport III en Duisburg
Duisburg
Tiene una capacidad de tráfico anual igual a 250mila unidades de carga
Abu Dhabi Puertos inicia una serie de acuerdos para llevar a cabo terminales portuarias para mercancías y cruceros en Egipto
Abu Dhabi Puertos inicia una serie de acuerdos para llevar a cabo terminales portuarias para mercancías y cruceros en Egipto
Abu Dhabi
Firmado el contrato de concesión para la terminal multipropósito en Safaga
En febrero -43,1% del tráfico de contenedores en el puerto de Los Ángeles confirma la fase de crisis de los puertos de California
Los Angeles
En febrero -43,1% del tráfico de contenedores en el puerto de Los Ángeles confirma la fase de crisis de los puertos de California
También sufren de los escaneos de puertos de la costa este. Esperar una recuperación modesta a partir de marzo
Freudenberg, Meyer Werft y Royal Caribbean se están dando cuenta de un nuevo sistema de celdas de combustible para el sector naval
Papenburg
Freudenberg, Meyer Werft y Royal Caribbean se están dando cuenta de un nuevo sistema de celdas de combustible para el sector naval
El primer ejemplar podría instalarse en el nuevo crucero "Silver Nova" que se completará en los próximos meses.
FEPORT satisfecho con las modificaciones de las normas generales de exención de la UE por categorías
Bruselas
La federación sigue cubriendo la inversión pública de hasta 150 millones de euros en los puertos, incluidos los de planchar en frío, dijo la federación.
Liberty Lines ordena tres vehículos navales monocarena en el astillero español Armon
Belrose
Liberty Lines ordena tres vehículos navales monocarena en el astillero español Armon
Se sumarán a los nueve ya comisionados
Ceremonia de colocación de la quilla de la Rayo de plata por Silversea Cruises
Papenburg
El crucero de lujo está en construcción en Meyer Werft
Lanzado en China el primero de dos buques de GNL Small Scale & Bunker para Fratelli Cosulich
Génova
Se tomará en entrega en septiembre
El CDA de Interporto Padova aprobó por unanimidad el proyecto de presupuesto 2022
Padova
Beneficio después de impuestos en línea con el del ejercicio anterior
En Génova, se ha inaugurado un centro para el desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías para la descarbonización del transporte marítimo.
Génova
CapLab será gestionado por Ecoreay Technologies y el DICCA de la Universidad de Génova
Acuerdo de colaboración entre el AdSP de los mares Tirreno y Jónico del Sur y la Universidad de Calabria
Cosin
El acuerdo abarca varias áreas de actividad y experiencia
En 2022 los tránsitos de camiones a través de los Alpes suizos disminuyeron un -1,7% por ciento. Estancamiento del transporte ferroviario
Bern
En 2022 los tránsitos de camiones a través de los Alpes suizos disminuyeron un -1,7% por ciento.  Estancamiento del transporte ferroviario
Todavía lejos el objetivo de la transferencia de las cargas de la carretera al ferrocarril
En el único cuarto trimestre de 2022, los ingresos del Grupo HHLA crecieron un 4,9%.
Hamburgo
El beneficio operativo cayó un -8,8%
Touax cierra 2022 con ingresos récord
París
Se espera en 2023 normalización del mercado de contenedores
El combustible electrónico solo debe reservarse para el transporte aéreo y marítimo
Roma
Destaca un análisis de Transport & Environment, que los considera no útiles para la descarbonización del transporte por carretera
Acuerdo entre cinco organizaciones internacionales para aumentar el transporte seguro de carga en contenedores
Londres
Memorándum de acuerdo suscrito por CINS, CHIRP, COA, ICHCA y SMDG
El puerto de Livorno inicia un acuerdo con el PNA uruguayo para el desarrollo de tráficos, en particular de bosque
Livorno
El puerto de Livorno inicia un acuerdo con el PNA uruguayo para el desarrollo de tráficos, en particular de bosque
En 2022, el escalador labronado manejó 2,13 millones de toneladas.
PROXIMAS SALIDAS
Visual Sailing List
Salida
Destinación:
- orden alfabético
- nación
- aréa geogràfica
Rixi tranquiliza sobre la implementación del vuelco del mar del astillero Fincantieri de Sestri Ponente
Génova
Rixi tranquiliza sobre la implementación del vuelco del mar del astillero Fincantieri de Sestri Ponente
MIT lanzará la discusión con la red ferroviaria italiana para mover la línea de ferrocarril
Maersk Air Cargo inaugura un servicio aeromerci Europa-China
Copenhague
Maersk Air Cargo inaugura un servicio aeromerci Europa-China
Es el primer enlace aéreo para el transporte de mercancías entre Dinamarca y Asia
En 2022, el transporte ferroviario hacia y desde el puerto de Livorno creció un 35,8%
Livorno
Caída de -35,4% en la escala de Piombino
En febrero, caída del tráfico de mercancías en los puertos de Algeciras y Barcelona
Algeciras/Barcelona
Descensos del -12,3% y -11,6% respectivamente
PSA almacena 2022 con un rendimiento financiero récord
PSA almacena 2022 con un rendimiento financiero récord
Singapur
Ingresos del 71,2%
Seabourn ha vendido el crucero de lujo Lubina Odyssey en MOL
Seattle
Fue construido por el astillero T. Mariotti
Multa de $950mila en las líneas taiwanesas Wan Hai
Washington
Acuerdo transactivo con la agencia federal estadounidense FMC
En el tercer trimestre de 2022, el tráfico de mercancías en los puertos griegos cayó un -3,1% por ciento.
En el tercer trimestre de 2022, el tráfico de mercancías en los puertos griegos cayó un -3,1% por ciento.
Pireo
Pasajeros en crecimiento del 19,2%
Ejercicio contra la piratería en el Golfo de Guinea
Roma
Ejercicio contra la piratería en el Golfo de Guinea
Se trata del buque "Comandante Foscari" de la Armada y la mercantil "Gran Luanda" de los Grimaldi
Un euroescéptico Federagents mira hacia el Sur
Roma
Oportunidades desde el activismo industrial, logístico y comercial de los países del área de MENA
AD Puertos inicia una carta de intención para la realización de una terminal multipropósito en el puerto de Pointe-Noire
AD Puertos inicia una carta de intención para la realización de una terminal multipropósito en el puerto de Pointe-Noire
Abu Dhabi
El acuerdo tiene una duración de un año
UNO ordena diez nuevos buques portacontenedores de 13.700 teu
Singapur
Se tomarán en entrega en 2025 y 2026
Tarlazzi (Uiltransport): la desconexión aumenta para evitar tensiones en el mundo del trabajo
Roma
"El gobierno tiene la responsabilidad de evitar el transporte de personas y mercancías", dijo.
PUERTOS
Puertos italianos:
Ancona Génova Rávena
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Liorna Taranto
Cagliari Nápoli Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venecia
Interpuertos Italianos: lista Puertos del mundo: Mapa
BANCO DE DATOS
Armadores Reparadores navales y astilleros
Expedicionarios Abastecedores de bordo
Agencias marítimas Transportistas
MEETINGS
El 18 de abril se enfrentará a Assiterminal con políticos y profesionales sobre los desafíos de la portugal
Génova
Reunión en la sede de la Federación del Mar en Roma
El 13 de abril en Ancona una conferencia sobre la salud y la seguridad en el trabajo en el puerto de puerto
Ancona
Está organizado por Inail Marche en colaboración con el Mar Adriático Central AdSP
››› Archivo
RESEÑA DE LA PRENSA
Pressure grows on shipping industry to accept carbon levy
(The Guardian)
Leith Docks: 25 injured after research ship Petrel topples over in 'terrifying' 'major incident' in dry dock
(The Scotsman)
››› Reseña de la Prensa Archivo
FORUM de lo shipping y
de la logística
Relazione del presidente Daniele Rossi
Napoli, 30 settembre 2020
››› Archivo
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