The Haitian Institute of Statistics and Information, in its latest publication on the evolution of indicators selected to monitor the real sector of certain branches of the economy (industry, energy, construction, internal and external trade, consumer prices) indicates that economic activity in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014 (April-June) are up, both in quarterly and yearly rhythms.

Industry :

Increase of 6.6% of the index of industrial production YoY and 3.7% from the previous quarter. The quarterly increase resulted from a contrasting trends of different industries: food products (11%), textile (+ 14.6%), non-metallic mineral products (+ 8.2%) and metallurgical works (+ 2.0%). By cons, wood products, publishing and printing showed a downward trend (-8.4%) and chemical manufacturing (-9.2%).

Energy :

Decrease of 8.3% of the index of production of electrical energy yoy and 5.3% from the prior quarter. This negative quarterly change is explained by the fall, at the same time of hydroelectric generation (-22.7%) and thermal production (-4.4%). Consumption billed, for its part, reflected a rising trend (+25.7%) compared to the previous quarter.

Construction :

Increase of 11.1% of the index of construction activity yoy and 6.2% from last quarter. This positive development in the quarter is consistent with the increase in quantity of imported inputs used in the production sector, including imported cement.

Internal trade :

Increase of 13.3% of the index of the business yoy and 4.7% from the previous quarter. The quarterly increase in nominal terms, is particularly supported by the retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco (+11.2%), vehicles (+2.7%), other consumer goods (+3.3%), hardware (+4.5%) and textiles (+3.1%). While business accessories for motor vehicles have rather trended downward.

Foreign Trade :

The index of the total value of imports down 9.0% yoy, but up +18.7% compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, prices of imported items, showed an upward trend of +1.5% yoy and +3.7% compared to the previous quarter; which leads to a contraction of -10.3% yoy and a quarterly increase of +14.5%.

Consumer prices :

Increase of +3.7% in the index of consumer prices yoy and +1.7% from the prior quarter. This quarterly increase in the general level of prices is attributable to the behavior on the rise of all expenditure items include : Health (+3.2%), apparel (+2.8%), other goods and services (+2.6%), food (+1.8%). Moreover, the price index of agricultural products increase by +2.4% yoy and +3.2% compared to last quarter.

HL/ HaitiLibre