2019 Trade Map 2: Tables Structure and content Part I

Understanding Trade Indicators for Coffee Imports

Overview of the Table Structure

• The table presents trade indicators, specifically focusing on importers of coffee (excluding roasted and decaffeinated) for 2018. It should be read systematically from top to bottom and left to right.

• The first line indicates world market demand, with detailed coding available at different levels (HS6, HS8). HS refers to Harmonized System codes used for classifying products.

• A button with a plus sign allows access to more detailed data for specific products and countries.

Key Data Points in the Table

• The list of importing countries is sorted by the value of imports from the most recent year, indicated by a yellow column heading.

• The table consists of four main groups under trade indicators:

• Imported value in thousands of USD

• Trade balance (exports minus imports)

• Quantity imported

• Unit value calculated as imported value divided by quantity.

Understanding Market Size and Trade Balance

• The imported value reflects market size; e.g., $19,592,574 represents $19.59 billion in total imports for coffee in 2018.

• Trade balance shows whether a country exports more than it imports; positive values indicate net exporters while negative values indicate net importers. Color coding helps identify these balances.

Quantity and Measurement Units

• Quantity imported provides insight into physical volume; units vary significantly across products (e.g., metric tons for solids, liters for liquids).

• Unit values are averages over time and can mask price fluctuations due to seasonal variations or product types included under one code.

Analyzing Unit Value Implications

• Unit value is not an exact price but an average that may reflect various factors such as packaging size or quality differences among products.

• High unit values could result from strong demand relative to supply or premium product characteristics; thus careful analysis is required when interpreting these figures.

Summary Insights on Market Conditions

• Understanding these indicators helps identify global market conditions—size in terms of both value and quantity—and whether countries are net importers or exporters.