WTO figures show decline in January-February, sharp rise in March
The value of world merchandise trade was around 25% higher in the first three months of 2010 than in the same period of 2009, according to World Trade Organization (WTO) figures released June 2. Global exports rose by 27%, while imports rose slightly less, at 24%. These are “year-on-year” quarterly comparisons. Available monthly statistics for about 70 economies representing about 90% of world trade show that merchandise trade declined in January and February 2010, then rose sharply in March. More WTO quarterly statistics are available here.
