Thailand: Gold lifts exports to unexpected growth in July

• Aug 21, 2019

Customs-cleared exports rose in July for the first time in five months, up 4.28% from a year earlier, as gold shipments surged, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.

The gain in July was contrary to a Reuters poll forecast of a 2.3% drop in shipments, the main driver of Thai growth, and compared with a fall of 2.15% in June

Shipments to China expanded for the first time in nine months while consignments to the United States and Japan also increased, ministry official said.

Gold exports soared 407% in July from a year earlier while computers and parts fell 5.9%.

Shipments to China rose 6.2% year on year, while exports to the United States jumped 9.8% and those to Japan rose 8.0%.

Excluding gold shipments, overall exports would have fallen 0.4%, data showed.

Imports in July increased 1.67% from a year earlier, after falling 9.44% the June. The poll had forecast a decline of 5.4%.

July saw a trade surplus of US$110 million, compared with a forecast for a $540 million surplus, and June’s $3.21 billion surplus.

In January-July, exports contracted 1.91% from a year earlier and imports were down 1.81%.

The ministry targets 2019 export growth of 3%, while the state planning agency predicts a 1.2% fall.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1734207/gold-lifts-exports-to-unexpected-growth-in-july