External trade in goods, indices of volume and price, Q2 2006

The export prices of goods excluding ships and oil platforms have been increasing since the third quarter of 2003. The export prices of fuels contributed the most to the strong rise, gas, natural and manufactured showing the largest increase, up 58.6 per cent compared with the second quarter in 2005. Among food products the export prices of fish went up 28.1 per cent.

In the second quarter of 2006 the export prices of goods excluding crude oil, natural gas condensates, natural gas, ships and oil platforms increased by 2.6 per cent compared with the first quarter in 2006. Through all the quarters in 2005 these prices were rising, and the increase from the second quarter in 2005 to the second quarter this year was 13.6 per cent. For metals except iron and steel the rise was 29.0 per cent.

Higher exports of manufactured goods

The export volume of goods excluding crude oil, condensates, natural gas, ships and oil platforms increased by 3.6 per cent from the second quarter of 2005 to the second quarter in 2006. The export volume was higher for chemical products such as inorganic chemical products, up 4.0 per cent, fertilizers, up 17.1 per cent and plastics in primary forms, up 12.0 per cent. Adjusted for seasonality figures show an increase of 3.2 per cent from the first quarter to the second quarter this year.

The unadjusted export volume of goods excluding crude oil, condensates, natural gas, ships and oil platforms decreased by 0.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2006 compared with the first quarter. Less export of fish explains the decrease.

Increased import prices

From the second quarter in 2005 to the second quarter in 2006 import prices of goods excluding ships and oil platforms increased by 1.8 per cent. Prices are higher for fuels such as petroleum and petroleum products as well as electric current.

Import prices of goods excluding ships and oil platforms increased by 0.5 per cent from the first quarter of 2006 to the second quarter this year. The import prices were higher for food beverages and tobacco, fuels and crude materials, while manufactured goods showed a decrease.

Increased imports of machinery

The import volume of goods excluding ships and oil platforms increased by 4.8 percent in the second quarter of 2006 compared with the same quarter in 2005. The import volume increased for power generating machinery, up 25,6 per cent, machinery for special industries, up 22.9 per cent and electrical machinery, up 12.8 per cent. Adjusted for seasonality figures show higher import volume from the first quarter in 2006 as well, up 0.8 per cent. Compared with the increase from the fourth quarter of 2005 to the first quarter of 2006 this is a minor increase.