The Planning and Statistics Authority has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports and imports for May 2021. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
In May 2021, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR 24.9 billion, showing an increase of 87.8% compared to May 2020, and increase of 18.9% compared to April 2021.
On other hand, the imports of goods in May 2021 amounted to around QR 8.3 billion, showing an increase of 4.7% compared to May 2020. and increase of 1.7% compared to April 2021.
In May 2021, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 16.6 billion almost, i.e. an increase of about QR 11.3 billion or 211.4% compared to May 2020, and increased by nearly QR 3.8 billion or 29.9% compared to April 2021.
The year on year (May 2021 to May 2020) increase in total exports was mainly due to higher exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching QR 14.0 billion approximately in May 2021, i.e. an increase of 70.1%, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 4.0 billion nearly, increased by 201.5%, and increase in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching 2.5 billion, increased by 349.9%.
In May 2021, China was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 3.6 billion, a share of 14.42% of total exports, followed by Japan with almost QR 3.6 billion and a share of 14.36%, South Korea with about QR 2.8 billion, a share of 11.2%.
The year on year (May 2021 to May 2020), the group of " Motor Cars & Other Motor Vehicles For The Transport Of Persons " was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.4 billion, showing an increase of 140.4%. In second place was " Turbojets, Turbo propellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof " with QR 0.3 billion, showing a decrease of 66.3% and in third place was " Electrical Apparatus for Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof" with QR 0.2 billion, increase of 58.0%.
In May 2021, China was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 1.5 billion, a share of 17.5% of the imports, followed by United State of America with QR 1.0 billion almost, a share of 12.5%, and Germany with QR 0.7 billion, a share of 8.0%.
