1982, the first such decrease in many years. For other qroups of primary commodities, the combined. price index calculated by UNCTAD showed a fall of 15.6 per cent in 1981, while in the first few months of 1982 the averaqe level was 10.5 per cent lower than in 1981. Aqricultural products were affected by qeneral over­ -supply, because of qood crops in 1981 and because of the reces­ sion. The fall in the prices of tropical beveraqes was especial­ ly damaqinq for African countries dependent on coffee and cocoa exports. In these conditions the operation of the international aqreements on coffee and cocoa was difficult, with producers com­ petinq on export quotas and on intervention prices. The prices of mineral ores were also down, and African producers were par­ ticularly affected by the low demand for cobalt, copper, iron and uranium. In Zaire cobalt stocks accumulated, and continuinq weak demand adversely affected Zambia. 10. Exports from the developed market economies rose by 2 per cent in 1981, and the expected qrowth rate in 198-2 is no more than 2.5 per cent. Other country qroupinqs fared no better~ developinq countries dropped 4.5 per cent in export volume, main­ ly because of lower oil exports, while the exports of oil­ -importinq countries continued to qrow, but at a much slcwer rate. Export performance differed markedly between those developinq countries which have industrialized in recent decades and the rest. The newly industrialized countries were successful in maintaininq sane of their export momentum and in penetratino the markets of developed market economies, a trend which has prompted protectionist measures in. Another trend is the qrowinq proportion of trade takinq place between developinq countries themselves, as a result of the oil trade and also risinq trade in rna nufactured products. 11. The developed market economies reduced their import volume 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the decline of primary commodities' prices, the impact on African countries, and the trends in international trade. The focus is on the economic performance of different countries and regions, with a emphasis on the decline of exports and imports.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development