Merchandise Imports Continued to trend upwards

The total value of the Islands’ importation of goods stood at $271.34 million, recording an increase of 11.2 percent for the first quarter of 2019.  This increase resulted from the growth in both non-petroleum and petroleum-related imports.

Non-petroleum imports amounted to $239.65 million, an increase of 12.7 percent.  Among the items that grew, were machinery and transport equipment such as electrical machinery and road vehicles, as well as manufactured goods such as iron and steel. There were also increased imports of miscellaneous manufactured articles such as furniture and parts and prefabricated buildings. Food imports also grew by 4.4 percent.

Petroleum and petroleum-related imports recorded a marginal increase of 1.2 percent to reach $31.31 million. This growth was driven by the increased volume of imported fuel, primarily diesel fuel. However, there was a reduction in the average price of mineral fuel imported for the first quarter.

More information on the “The Cayman Islands’ Quarterly Trade Statistics Bulletin: January to March 2019,” are available at www.eso.ky.