Yet the volume of re-exports dipped 5.3%, while domestic exports volume fell by 10.3%.

The volume of Hong Kong’s total exports rose 2.7% in May over a year earlier, while that of imports increased 5.1%, the Census & Statistics Department said on Tuesday.

During the month, the volume of re-exports increased 3.2%, whereas that of domestic exports dropped 17%.

Comparing the first five months of the year with the same period in 2010, the volume of re-exports rose 10%, whereas that of domestic exports dropped 7.8%. Taken together, the volume of total exports increased 9.6%. Concurrently, the volume of imports rose 8.4%.

The volume of total exports dropped 5.4% during the three-month period ending May, compared with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis. The volume of re-exports dropped 5.3%, while that of domestic exports decreased by 10.3%. Concurrently, the volume of imports dropped 2%.

The prices of re-exports increased by 8.8% in May compared with the same month last year, while those of domestic exports rose 6.2%. Taken together, the prices of total exports increased 8.7%. Concurrently, the prices of imports went up 8.1%.

In the first five months of the year, the prices of re-exports increased 8% over a year earlier, while those of domestic exports rose 6.5%. Taken together, the prices of total exports increased 8%. Concurrently, the prices of imports rose 8.5%.

Compared with the same period in 2010, the index increased 0.5% in May, whereas it dropped 0.5% in the first five months of 2011.