| Foreign Trade Statistics is a great help
for any kind of research on overseas markets. In India - there are
mainly two sources for reliable foreign trade statistics - DGCIS
and Customs. The former provides summary table for all merchandise
export and import from India - commodity-wise and country-wise.
The later provides shipment details for export and import - port-wise.
In this issue, we shall examine sample records from DGCIS statistics
and discuss strong points as also limitations of this data. The
objective is to help you develop a marketing plan based on best
information sources.
DGCIS
Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and
Statistics (DGCIS) publishes 'Monthly Statistics of Foreign Trade
of India' Its March issue contains cumulative data for whole financial
year (April to March). Let us take the example of export of Pepper
and examine sample records from DGCIS compilation
Summary Table
|
ITC 9 - Spices |
|
Article Code |
Description |
Unit |
Total Quantity |
Total Value (Rs.) |
|
0904 |
Pepper of gennus piper; dried/crusted/ground/fruits
of genus capsicum/genus pimenta |
Kg |
- |
7,647,863,067.00 |
|
090411 |
Pepper neither crushed nor ground |
Kg |
32,531,713.00 |
6,056,532,521.00 |
|
09041101 |
Pepper Long |
Kg |
272,661.00 |
395,467,590.00 |
|
09041102 |
Light Black Pepper |
Kg |
7,396,950.00 |
1,384,730,425.00 |
|
09041103 |
Black Pepper Garbled |
Kg |
21,503,999.00 |
4,102,066,949.00 |
|
09041104 |
Black Pepper Ungarbled |
Kg |
1,042,080.00 |
184,672,164.00 |
|
09041105 |
Dehydrated Green Pepper |
Kg |
189,638.00 |
47,474,451.00 |
|
09041106 |
Pepper Pinheads |
Kg |
1,416,958.00 |
217,658,301.00 |
|
09041107 |
Freez Dried Green Pepper |
Kg |
50,439.00 |
25,151,102.00 |
|
09041108 |
Frozen Pepper |
Kg |
1,500.00 |
692,364.00 |
|
09041109 |
Other Pepper Incl White |
Kg |
32,531,713.00 |
6,056,532,521.00 |
|
09041200 |
Crushed or Ground Pepper |
Kg |
326,870.00 |
27,612,079.00 |
For each 8-digit Article Code (or ITC-Code) - DGCIS publishes country-wise
distribution in following manner.
Article Code 09041101
- Pepper Long
|
Country |
Unit |
Quantity |
Value (Rs.) |
Avg Price (*) |
| Russia |
Kg |
38980 |
7,616,765.00 |
195.40 |
| Pakistan |
Kg |
36804 |
5,419,538.00 |
147.25 |
| Germany |
Kg |
46700 |
4,282,372.00 |
91.70 |
| Canada |
Kg |
15000 |
3,340,922.00 |
222.73 |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
Kg |
14975 |
3,051,745.00 |
203.79 |
| Sweden |
Kg |
16000 |
2,983,770.00 |
186.49 |
| Trinidad |
Kg |
15000 |
2,691,337.00 |
179.42 |
| South Africa |
Kg |
14902 |
2,662,439.00 |
178.66 |
| Colombia |
Kg |
22000 |
2,345,351.00 |
106.61 |
| Netherlands |
Kg |
13000 |
2,297,488.00 |
176.73 |
| Sri Lanka |
Kg |
20185 |
799,786.00 |
39.62 |
| Nepal |
Kg |
2425 |
557,825.00 |
230.03 |
| Japan |
Kg |
10000 |
457,237.00 |
45.72 |
| UK |
Kg |
400 |
139,348.00 |
348.37 |
| Jamaica |
Kg |
1000 |
121,149.00 |
121.15 |
| Malaysia |
Kg |
1100 |
121,105.00 |
110.10 |
| Australia |
Kg |
710 |
57,533.00 |
81.03 |
| Yemen |
Kg |
100 |
5,613.00 |
56.13 |
(*) - DGCIS does not provide 'Average Price' - I have included it
for discussion.
Notes on DGCIS
Statistics
- DGCIS statistics is considered as the most comprehensive, authentic
and reliable source of Indian foreign trade data. It includes
all merchandise export and import from India through all recognised
sea-ports, air-ports, land customs stations, inland container
depots, export processing zones, foreign post offices etc.
- Export statistics is based on Daily Trade Returns prepared from
declarations made by exporters in shipping bill. Import statistics
is based on declarations made by importers in bills of entry as
subsequently checked by customs authority.
- The quantity, for both export and import, is net of packing.
The value for export is FOB while that of import is CIF.
Limitations of DGCIS Statistics
Despite all the strong points about DGCIS statistics
- one should be aware of certain limitations in this source.
- DGCIS statistics covers merchandise export and import only.
It does not cover services, including software.
- It provides summary table, helpful for broad indication only.
In the example of pepper export above - the quantity and value
figures are clubbed for all varieties of pepper under given ITC
code. With such clubbed figures - one can not get micro level
picture of a specific variety.
- The value figure, though mathematically accurate, could be
misleading in practical use as there may exist many varieties
of a particular product. To illustrate this point, I have included
'Average Price' in country-wise distribution table (DGCIS does
not provide Average Price). Look at wide variation of average
price from country to country and you would not require any more
elaboration.
Conclusion
One can not get more authentic and reliable foreign
trade data in India than DGCIS statistics. It provides accurate
country-wise data for analysis at macro level. For micro-level analysis,
there exists another set of data from customs. We shall discuss
that in next issue.
Happy and Productive Surfing
Dr. Amit K Chatterjee
Related Links:
Source: FAIDA
- Newsletter on Business Opportunties from India and Abroad
Vol: 5, Issue 15
; December 17' 2004
Author :
Dr. Amit K. Chatterjee
(Amit worked in blue-chip Indian and MNCs for 15 years in various
capacities like Research and Information Analysis, Market Development,
MIS, R&D Information Systems etc. before starting his e-commerce
venture in 1997. The views expressed in this columns are of
his own. He may be reached at amit@infobanc.com
) |
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