Hong Kong's November 2025 Merchandise Trade Sees Strong Year-on-Year Growth in Exports and Imports

External merchandise trade statistics for November 2025

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 29) the external merchandise trade statistics for November 2025. In November 2025, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 18.8% and 18.1% respectively.

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), Photo source: reference image

In November 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 18.8% over a year earlier to $468.9 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 17.5% in October 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 18.1% over a year earlier to $517.4 billion in November 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 18.3% in October 2025. A visible trade deficit of $48.5 billion, equivalent to 9.4% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in November 2025.

For the first 11 months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 14.3% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 14.1%. A visible trade deficit of $382.8 billion, equivalent to 7.5% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first 11 months of 2025.

Comparing the three-month period ending November 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 1.4%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 2.8%.

Analysis by country/territory

Comparing November 2025 with November 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 17.1%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+72.0%), Vietnam (+54.9%), Taiwan (+45.3%), Thailand (+39.6%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+16.4%).

Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations in other regions, in particular the USA (+44.4%) and the Netherlands (+36.4%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+102.3%), the Mainland (+25.0%), Malaysia (+21.1%), the United Kingdom (+19.7%) and the USA (+17.8%).

Comparing the first 11 months of 2025 with the same period in 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+55.1%), Vietnam (+52.9%), Taiwan (+40.5%), the Mainland (+15.8%) and Japan (+13.7%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+90.6%), the United Kingdom (+43.9%), Malaysia (+19.8%), Taiwan (+19.0%) and the Mainland (+14.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-15.0%).

Analysis by major commodity

Comparing November 2025 with November 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $31.5 billion or +15.9%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $16.4 billion or +36.8%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $34.1 billion or +16.9%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $16.8 billion or +34.3%).

Comparing the first 11 months of 2025 with the same period in 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $315.5 billion or +15.9%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $129.0 billion or +26.6%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $334.7 billion or +16.8%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $112.9 billion or +27.7%).

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to show a strong performance, growing by 18.8% in November over a year earlier. Exports to most major markets showed further robust growth. Analysed by commodity, exports of most major commodities rose visibly, particularly for exports of electrical equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances.

Looking ahead, sustained moderate global economic growth and persistent demand for electronic-related products will underpin Hong Kong's merchandise trade growth in the near term. The Government will continue its ongoing effort to enhance economic and trade ties with different markets, and stay vigilant to the developments of various uncertainties in the external environment.

Further information

Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for November 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to November 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.

The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for November 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.

Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for November 2025.

All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for November 2025 will be released in mid-January 2026.

The November 2025 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in November 2025 and will be available in early January 2026. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).

Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).

Source: AI-found images

Singapore ETO promotes Hong Kong cinema at Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation 2026

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) is supporting the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation 2026, which returns to Singapore for the fifth consecutive year. The event showcases Hong Kong's vibrant culture and creativity through cinema and provides a platform for Hong Kong filmmakers and emerging talent to connect with overseas audiences and industry counterparts.

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation 2026 is being held at Shaw Theatres Lido from today (September 11) to September 13. The three-day programme features eight Hong Kong films, showcasing the diversity, creativity and vitality of Hong Kong cinema. It is organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy and co-organised by the Singapore Film Society, with support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Film Development Fund (FDF) and the Singapore ETO.

The Gala Presentation opened today with "Dog Day Evening", directed and written by Mak Tin-shu. The comedy, rich in dark humour, received funding support from the FDF. It follows the lead character who storms into the customer service department of a television office building to terminate his pay television subscription by taking hostages to force the staff to process his service termination application. The film was nominated for the Asian New Talent section of the Golden Goblet Awards at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival. Director Mak and actress Rachel Leung attended the opening in Singapore and shared their experiences in filmmaking and acting with the local audience after the screening.

The Singapore ETO sponsored a reception before the opening screening. Speaking at the reception, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, highlighted the role of cinema in showcasing Hong Kong's culture and creativity to international audiences.

"Hong Kong has a rich cinematic heritage and our films have, over the decades, brought Hong Kong's unique stories, culture and creativity to audiences worldwide. We are delighted to support the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation again this year and bring both established classics and exciting new works by Hong Kong filmmakers to our friends in Singapore," Ms Hung said.

"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to supporting the continued development of Hong Kong's film industry, including nurturing talent, enhancing local production, expanding markets and building audiences. By bringing Hong Kong films and filmmakers overseas, we hope to provide our film talent with greater exposure and opportunities to connect with international audiences and industry counterparts, while enabling more people to discover Hong Kong and our stories through cinema. We also look forward to fostering closer exchanges and collaboration between the film communities of Hong Kong and Singapore," she added.

This year's Gala Presentation features six recent Hong Kong productions: "Dog Day Evening", "Because of You Ka Kui", "Wakesurf Lovers", "The Dating Menu", "Gamer Girls" and "The Snowball on a Sunny Day". The films offer distinctive stories, characters and creative perspectives, covering themes ranging from youth and relationships to food and choices in life.

The programme also celebrates the enduring legacy and international influence of Hong Kong cinema with two landmark films starring Bruce Lee: "Enter the Dragon" and "The Way of the Dragon", with the latter presented in a 4K restoration. The screenings offer Singapore audiences an opportunity to revisit the two classics on the big screen.

In addition to Mak and Leung, actress Renci Yeung, who stars in "Wakesurf Lovers", and "The Dating Menu" together with Leung, is also attending this year's Gala Presentation and meeting local audiences. The three Hong Kong filmmakers took the opportunity to engage directly with audiences in Singapore, share their creative perspectives and build connections with the local film community.

Alongside the film screenings, a special talk will be held on September 13, bringing together Hong Kong director Mak and Singapore filmmaker Kelvin Sng. The two directors will discuss their creative journeys, approaches to filmmaking and experiences in bringing stories from concept to the screen, and exchange perspectives on filmmaking in Hong Kong and Singapore. The talk is open to the public free of charge, with prior registration required.

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Singapore runs until September 13. For programme details, please visit www.afa-academy.com.

Source: AI-found images