Import Matrix

Definition

Import Matrix. A table that shows the estimated use of imports by industries and final uses.

The format of the import matrix is similar to that of the use table, but only imported commodities are distributed across the rows of the table. Because source data are not available on who purchases imports, the estimates are based on the assumption that each industry’s use of imports for a specific commodity is proportional to its total use of that commodity.

To calculate the import matrix, a ratio of imports by product to supply (domestic production plus imports less exports and change in inventories) is used. Two import matrixes are prepared, one to match with the standard use table (before reallocation of inputs) and one to match with the supplementary use table (after the reallocation of inputs).