Beijing, China, March 29--According to Asia Pulse, China's total import and export of construction and sanitary ceramics reached US$1.1984 billion in 2004, jumping 55.70 per cent over the previous year, and accounting for 0.104 per cent of the US$1154.74 billion of the national total foreign trade value in the period, according to statistics from customs.
Of this, the news service reported that imports amounted to US$33 million, accounting for 0.006 per cent of the national total import of US$5611.38 billion, rising 11.98 per cent year on year; and exports amounted to US$1.1654 billion, accounting for 0.196 per cent of the national total export of US$593.36 billion, and up 57.49 per cent year on year.
The import and export of construction and sanitary ceramics posed a trade surplus of US$1.13 billion, accounting for 3.54 per cent of the total trade surplus of the country, and an increase of 59.31 per cent year on year.
In 2004, import of construction ceramics reached 1.729 million square meters, rising 0.35 per cent year on year, valued at US$15.3687 million, rising 0.22 per cent. Average price of the import jumped 21.45 per cent year on year.
Import of sanitary ceramics was 238,400 units in 2004, dropping 48.62 per cent year on year, valued at US$17.63 million, rising 4.63 per cent. Average price of imported sanitary ceramics surged 103.69 per cent year on year.
The top five sources of China's import of unglazed mosaic in 2004 were Japan, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand and Germany to account for 93.09 per cent of the countrys total import of unglazed mosaic.
China's import of unglazed wall tile and flooring was mainly from Italy, Chinas Taiwan, Germany, the United States, Malaysia, The United Arab Emirates and Spain, which together account for 94.32 per cent of the total import of unglazed wall tile and flooring in the country. Import of glazed mosaic was mainly from Japan, Italy, Thailand and Taiwan, which together account for 95.15 per cent of the total of the import of glazed mosaic.
Import of glazed wall tile and flooring (including glazed brick) was mostly from Italy, Spain, Taiwan and Japan, which make up 98.18 per cent of the total.
Import of sanitary ceramics was mainly from Thailand, Germany, Spain, Indonesia, the United State, Italy, Australia, Vietnam and France, which account for 93.18 per cent of the total.
China's export of construction ceramics totaled 317 million square meters last year, increasing 53.88 per cent year on year, valued at US$839.8 million, up 60.88 per cent year on year. Average export price hiked 4.74 per cent year on year.
Export of unglazed mosaic registered a year-on-year increase of 10.97 per cent in volume, and 45.17 per cent in value. Average price of the export went up 31.25 per cent year on year.
Export of glazed mosaic dropped 26.80 per cent in volume over the previous year, and 17.53 per cent in value. Average price of exported glazed mosaic went up 12.87 per cent as compared with that of the previous year.
Export of unglazed wall tile and flooring surged 60.44 per cent year on year in volume and 68.30 per cent in value. Average price of the export increased 4.76 per cent last year.
Export of glazed wall tile and flooring surged 50.86 per cent year on year in volume and 55.43 per cent in value. Average price of the export rose 2.97 per cent year on year.
The country export of sanitary ceramics reached 28.225 million units, rising 56.49 per cent year on year, valued at US$325.6 million, up 49.08 per cent. Average price of the export of sanitary ceramics dipped 4.71 per cent year on year.
China's export of unglazed mosaic went to 49 countries and regions in 2004, of which 85.69 per cent were exported to ten countries and regions, namely Hong Kong, Singapore, Gana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Australia, Senegal, Japan, ROK and the United Arab Emirates.
