again, and qiven their overwhelminq share of world trade (nearly 70.0 per cent) this led to the fall in commodity-prices discussed above, and to 1 ower export revenues for devel opinq countries. The most affected were the OPEC countries: the volume of imports from them to OECD countries fell by 15 per cent in 1981, and was expected to fall by a further 10 per cent in 1982. But OECD im­ ports from other developinq countries did qrow in 1981, and are expected to increase even more rapidly in 1982 and 1983. Oil­ -exportinq developinq countries increased their imports at a faster rate in 1981 than 1980, since the level of oil prices was still rising and many of them were engaqed in larqe development 12 E/ECA/CM.9/5 proqramrnes requirinq considerable imports. This however came to an errl in 1982, with the cut-backs in expenditure forced on oil exporters by fallinq revenues. 12. Oil price movements and falls in primary ccrnmodity prices were the cause of siqnificant terms-of-trade losses for develop­ inq oil-importinq countries. IMF calculates the loss at same 9.2 per cent in 1981, while industrial countries reqistered a qain of 2.3 per cent. Oil-exportinq countries qained a further 12.4 per cent in 1981, but the position was reversed in 1982 with the decline in oil prices. 13. In a similar fashion, the huqe surplus accumulated by oil exporters in 1979/80 has been contractinq steadily, while the positions of other country qroupinqs has either improved or deteriorated less rapidly. IMF estimates that the current balance of oil exporters fell from $ll5.0 billion in 1980 to $70.8 billion in 1981, and will fall to or!ly $25.0 billion in 1982. r.leam.,rhile the developed market economies considerably im­ proved their position from a deficit of $44.8 billion in 1980 to 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the impact of changes in global commodity prices, particularly oil prices, on the trade balances of various countries and regions. It highlights the effects on oil-exporting and oil-importing countries, as well as the consequences for international trade and the balance of payments. The text also touches on the economic development and revenue streams of countries, particularly those in the OECD and OPEC regions.

**Category**
International trade