Compiling and Using Export and Import Price Indices

Author/Editor:

Kimberly D. Zieschang ; Jemma Dridi

Publication Date:

December 1, 2002

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Export and import price indices are essential for assessing the impact of international trade on the domestic economy. Among their most important uses are analyzing developments in the trade balance, measuring foreign prices' contribution to domestic inflation, and deflating nominal values of exports and imports for estimating the volume of gross domestic product. This paper discusses the main uses of trade indices and the data sources used to compile them. It also presents various approaches used to compile foreign trade price indices, addresses various problems encountered in developing these indices, and provides some recommendations on how to address them.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2002/230

Subject:

Export price indexes Exports Import price indexes Imports International trade Price indexes Prices

English

Publication Date:

December 1, 2002

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451875515/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2302002

Pages:

59

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