Supply shocks undermined the strength of the recovery in world merchandise trade with a loss of momentum at the beginning of the year, the World Trade Organization (WTO) reported here.

Geneva.- In its Barometer report on Merchandise Trade, the WTO indicates that despite the result, changes could be glimpsed given the signs of moderation in the pressure of the supply chains.

The indicator reading stood at 98.7 percentage points, slightly below 100, the barometer’s reference value, and below the 99.5 reading recorded in November. However, the index is also showing signs of bottoming out, suggesting that commodity trading could pick up soon.

The text explains that the relaxation of health restrictions in the coming months could boost commercial exchange after continuous interruptions in the supply chain, but warns about the persistent risks in the face of possible variants of Covid-19.

In the third quarter of 2021, merchandise trade volume growth slowed to 8.1 percent year on year, also posting a small quarter-on-quarter decline.

But cumulatively, the volume of trade in the first three quarters of 2021 increased by 11.9 percent, compared to the same period in 2020. (PL)