The country's fish exports was the top export commodity valued at $7.7 million for the December 2020 quarter, according to a report released by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics.

The S.B.S. report titled “Overseas Merchandise Trade" is for the December 2020 quarter and highlighted that fish exports continued to be the top export commodity valued at $7.7 million, despite a reduction of 25.0 per cent and 39.7 per cent when compared to the September 2020 quarter and December 2019 quarters respectively.

However, total exports stood at $21.97 million, dropping by 15.5 per cent and 32.8 per cent when compared to the preceding quarter and December 2019 quarters respectively. 

“In December 2020 quarter, merchandise imports were valued at $238.7 million. This value was 14.7 per cent higher than the previous quarter but 19.7 per cent lower when compared to the December 2019 quarter,” reads the report.

The report also mentioned that some of the export commodities include vegetables.

“Vegetables exports followed with a total value of $2.5 million, decreasing 7.4 per cent when compared to the previous quarter despite a 37.9 per cent increase over the corresponding quarter of 2019 (mainly taro).   

“Fats and oils exports went up 4.5 per cent to $2.5 million from the previous quarter, reflecting an increase in refined coconut oil exports. In comparison with the corresponding quarter of 2019, the fats and oils exports were 33.9 per cent higher. 

“Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products exports were valued at $2.3 million. This value was 9.0 per cent and 70.6 per cent lower than the previous quarter and the same quarter last year respectively.”

Other exports include: beverages, spirits and vinegar exports recorded a total value of $1.8 million, increasing 44.4 per cent from the previous quarter, mainly driven by beer exports. 

“In comparison with December 2019 quarter, the value of beverages, spirit and vinegar edged up 31.0 per cent.

“Electrical machinery and equipment exports declined 59.3 per cent to $0.79 million from the previous quarter and 15.5 per cent lower when compared to the same quarter last year. All other commodities with less than 3.0 per cent share of total merchandise exports value had a combined total of $4.4 million.”

As for merchandise exports by region, Oceania documented the largest share of total merchandise exports value with 74.2 per cent, despite the decreases of 23.3 per cent and 29.1 per cent from the preceding quarter and the same quarter last year in that order.

“America recorded a 13.0 per cent share, increasing 12.6 per cent from the September 2020 quarter but 3.8 per cent lower when compared to December 2019 quarter. 

“Asia had a total share of 11.7 per cent, increasing 23.6 per cent from the previous quarter but 59.6 per cent lower from the corresponding quarter of 2019.

“Europe recorded a total share of 1.1 per cent, increasing 78.9 per cent from September 2020 quarter but 11.2 per cent lower when compared with December 2019 quarter.” 

For import commodities, the mineral fuels, mineral oils and product remained as the top imported commodity in the December 2020 quarter, valued at $27.8 million (11.6 per cent of total merchandise imports value). This value was 6.1 per cent higher than the previous quarter but 47.4 per cent lower when compared to December 2019 quarter.

“Mechanical machinery and equipment increased 37.4 per cent to $20.5 million from the previous quarter, accounting for 8.6 per cent of total merchandise imports value. In comparison with the same quarter of 2019, the total value increased 9.4 per cent.

“Vehicles, parts and accessories imports reported a total value of $18.3 million (7.7 per cent of total merchandise imports value), increasing 15.4 per cent from the previous quarter but 30.4 per cent lower when compared with the corresponding quarter of 2019.

“Meat and edible meat offal were valued at $16.6 million (6.9 per cent of total merchandise imports value). This value was 0.6 per cent higher than the September 2020 quarter but 20.5 per cent lower when compared to the same quarter last year.” 

The main source of imports and exports data for the S.B.S. report were collated from the administrative document, a completed customs form (single administrative data) required to be filled in by importers and exporters or customs agents when clearing merchandise inward and outward through the Ministry for Revenue (Custom Department).