Global trade in goods will continue to decline in the second quarter due to the covid-19 outbreak, according to data released by the world trade organization on Monday.

According to the latest report of the barometer of trade in goods released by the wto on the same day, the global business climate index for trade in goods, which reflects the situation in the second quarter, is now 87.6, down from 95.5 in the previous quarter and the lowest since the index was launched.

The wto said the index reflected a continued sharp decline in global trade in goods in the second quarter, in line with its previous outlook for global trade. In April, the wto predicted that global trade could shrink by 13 to 32 percent this year, depending on the duration of the outbreak and the effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures.

According to the rules for compiling the global trade in goods index, the value of 100 is its reference point. A reading of 100 in one quarter suggests that global trade in goods is growing in line with medium-term trends. A reading above 100 indicates higher-than-expected growth in global trade in goods in the quarter, while a reading below 100 indicates lower-than-expected growth in global trade in goods in the quarter.