This issue of Direction of Trade Statistics Quarterly provide, for about 160 countries, tables with current data (or estimates) on the value of imports from and exports to their most important trading partners. The quarterly issues, yearbook, and CD-ROM of the Direction of Trade Statistics present, for most member countries of the IMF, current figures on the value of merchandise exports and imports disaggregated according to their most important trading partners. Aggregates for the World table are calculated as the sum of aggregates from the tables for the Advanced Economies and Emerging and Developing Economies. The information on exports and imports by trading partners that countries report to the IMF varies in terms of frequency and currentness. When information is not reported and is inadequate to support the estimation techniques, the data are extrapolated using a matrix of trade among broad country groups. No estimates, however, are compiled for periods prior to 1981 or based on benchmark data referring to 1980 or earlier.

This August 2015 issue of Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) Quarterly provide, for about 160 countries, tables with current data (or estimates) on the value of imports from and exports to their most important trading partners. The quarterly issues, yearbook, and CD-ROM of the DOTS present, for most member countries of the IMF, current figures on the value of merchandise exports and imports disaggregated according to their most important trading partners. Estimation occurs if a reporting country does not report trade with its partners for a specific period. Data are estimated for all partners and not for some of the partners. In the absence of some or all the monthly DOTS, quarterly or annual reported DOTS are used. When information is not reported and is inadequate to support the estimation techniques, the data are extrapolated using a matrix of trade among broad country groups.

This June 2015 issue of Direction of Trade Statistics Quarterly provide, for about 160 countries, tables with current data (or estimates) on the value of imports from and exports to their most important trading partners. Quarterly issues of this publication provide, for about 160 countries, tables with current data (or estimates) on the value of imports from and exports to their most important trading partners. In addition, similar summary tables for the world, industrial countries, and developing countries are included. The yearbook provides, for the most recent seven years, detailed trade data by country for approximately 184 countries, the world, and major areas. Reported data are supplemented by estimates whenever such data are not current or are not available in monthly frequency.

This paper presents the 2015 yearbook of the Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS). Quarterly issues of this publication provide, for about 160 countries, tables with current data (or estimates) on the value of imports from and exports to their most important trading partners. In addition, similar summary tables for the world, industrial countries, and developing countries are included. The yearbook provides, for the most recent seven years, detailed trade data by country for approximately 184 countries, the world, and major areas. The information on exports and imports by trading partners that countries report to the Fund varies in terms of frequency and currentness. In order to provide guidance regarding the sources of the figures for individual countries, figures in the country, world, and area pages are shown with symbols to the right of the figure. Country pages include lines for all partner countries that have been reported, estimated, or extrapolated.

This paper presents the 2015 yearbook of the Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS). Quarterly issues of this publication provide, for about 160 countries, tables with current data (or estimates) on the value of imports from and exports to their most important trading partners. In addition, similar summary tables for the world, industrial countries, and developing countries are included. The yearbook provides, for the most recent seven years, detailed trade data by country for approximately 184 countries, the world, and major areas. The information on exports and imports by trading partners that countries report to the Fund varies in terms of frequency and currentness. In order to provide guidance regarding the sources of the figures for individual countries, figures in the country, world, and area pages are shown with symbols to the right of the figure. Country pages include lines for all partner countries that have been reported, estimated, or extrapolated.

This paper discusses the coverage of Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) is augmented by using trade statistics available from other international organizations. Monthly data for all European Union member countries are sourced from the COMEXT database maintained by EUROSTAT. Annual data reported to the United Nations COMTRADE database are incorporated in DOTS for countries that do not report to the IMF. Furthermore, the availability of partner data makes it possible to calculate estimates of countries for which data are not obtainable from other sources. Estimation occurs if a reporting country does not report trade with its partners for a specific period. Data are estimated for all partners. In the absence of some or all of the monthly DOTS, quarterly or annual reported DOTS are used. Because imports are valued on a cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) basis and exports on a free on board (FOB) basis, the data are adjusted for the cost of freight and insurance.

This publication provides data on the country and area distribution of countries exports and imports as reported by themselves or by their partners. The quarterly issues cover data for the most recent six quarters and the latest year for 169 countries, and ten quarters and five years for the world and area tables.