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World Trade Matrix

Our World Trade Matrixes are grids that show imports and exports, in metric tons, for virtually every trading country for the product covered. Each Matrix allows you to see trade between individual countries and also trade between regions and how that changes. The World Trade Matrix is created from the year to date trade statistics of all available countries, with imports overlaying exports. Exports are read down; imports across. Because of the large number of importing and exporting countries used to develop the Matrix, it is estimated that 80-90% of the world's trade is represented.

Note that a country's imports, as shown in the Matrix, usually are identical to what that country actually reports in its statistics. A country's exports, however, often differ in the Matrix from what the country has reported. This is because exports are overwritten by imports in the formation of the Matrix, as imports are considered more accurate. Exports are not monitored by governments as closely as are imports, and export destinations sometimes change from what has been reported to the statistical authorities.

Note that for certain products there are two Matrix "Summary by Region" pages. For these products, namely, ABS, ethylene copolymers, EVA, PET, polyacetals, polycarbonates, polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene copolymers, polystyrene, PVC and SAN, each Matrix includes official government statistics for imports into both China and Hong Kong. As Hong Kong re-exports some of its imports to China, this overstates the region's trade. To address this issue, one "Summary by Region" page includes imports into both China and Hong Kong; the second includes only imports into China.

Use This Feature To:

See each country's trade with every other country

See each region's trade with every other region

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