Merchandise exports stagnated in 2012 - UNCTAD

Geneva: Global merchandise exports in 2012 grew by only 0.2 percent in value, after having expanded significantly in 2010 and 2011, UNCTAD statistics indicated.

Among developing countries, merchandise exports climbed by 3.6 percent, the organisation reported, but much of that improvement was confined to petroleum- and gas-exporting nations. Countries that are primary exporters of commodities other than fuel saw exports drop by 2.54 percent.

Developed nations registered a 2.75 percent drop in merchandise exports. The total value of merchandise exports in 2012 was $ 18.325 trillion, as compared to $18.292 trillion in 2011, UNCTAD reported.

The slowdown in merchandise trade exports was observed everywhere, from developing to developed economies. Shortly before and after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, the growth of merchandise trade exports worldwide was significant, with the highest rate occurring in 2010 (21.9 percent). Such exports also climbed 19.63 percent in 2011. The year of greatest impact from the crisis, 2009, saw a 22.27 percent decline in merchandise exports.

Downward trends for primary commodity prices in 2012 (excluding fuel) seriously impacted the export performance of major commodity exporters. But major exporters of petroleum and gas did quite well, recording a 5.1 percent increase. Developing economies continued a trend in which their share of world trade improved year-by-year. At the end of 2012, these economies accounted for 44.4 per cent of the global export market. By contrast, in 2005 their share stood at 36.2 per cent.