Hong Kong's December 2025 exports and imports surge by over 26% and 30%, respectively, amid trade deficit

External merchandise trade statistics for December 2025

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (January 27) the external merchandise trade statistics for December 2025. In December 2025, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 26.1% and 30.6% respectively.

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

In December 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 26.1% over a year earlier to $512.8 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 18.8% in November 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 30.6% over a year earlier to $576.0 billion in December 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 18.1% in November 2025. A visible trade deficit of $63.3 billion, equivalent to 11.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in December 2025.

For 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 15.4% over 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 15.5%. A visible trade deficit of $446.6 billion, equivalent to 7.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in 2025.

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2025 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 5.2%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 6.7%.

Analysis by country/territory

Comparing December 2025 with December 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 26.6%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+138.6%), Thailand (+76.6%), Taiwan (+72.7%), Singapore (+30.4%), Vietnam (+29.4%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+24.9%).

Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular Switzerland (+48.8%) and the USA (+47.5%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+164.1%), the United Kingdom (+41.6%), the Mainland (+33.9%), Taiwan (+30.8%), Japan (+18.0%) and Singapore (+17.2%).

Comparing 2025 with 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+61.6%), Vietnam (+50.5%), Taiwan (+43.6%), the Mainland (+16.7%) and Japan (+13.5%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+97.1%), the United Kingdom (+43.7%), Taiwan (+20.0%), Malaysia (+18.3%), the Mainland (+16.2%) and Singapore (+11.7%).

Analysis by major commodity

Comparing December 2025 with December 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 $60.8 billion or +30.7%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $21.2 billion or +46.8%).

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 $58.1 billion or +27.9%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $29.5 billion or +59.6%).

Comparing 2025 with 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 $376.2 billion or +17.2%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $135.0 billion or +24.9%).

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 $392.6 billion or +17.9%), "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $135.8 billion or +24.6%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $130.8 billion or +29.3%).

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports picked up strongly towards the end of 2025, surging by 26.1% in December over a year earlier. For 2025 as a whole, the value of merchandise exports rose visibly by 15.4% to $5,240.3 billion, a historical high. Exports to the Mainland continued to grow visibly, and those to the ASEAN economies showed robust growth. Exports to the United States showed a decent increase, while those to the European Union declined slightly. Analysed by commodity, exports of most major commodities rose markedly, particularly for exports of electrical equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances.

Looking ahead, sustained moderate expansion of the global economy, enhanced economic and trade ties with new markets, coupled with strong demand worldwide for AI-enabled electronic-related products, will support Hong Kong's merchandise trade performance. The Government will stay vigilant to the developments of various uncertainties.

Further information

Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for December 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to December 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 December 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 December 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 December 2025 will be released in mid-February 2026.

The December 2025 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in December 2025 and will be available in early February 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).

Photo source: reference image

Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 11) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). High temperatures and rainfall in summer are favourable for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue fever

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From September 4 to yesterday (September 10), the CHP recorded three imported DF cases. Two of the patients had travelled to the Philippines, while another patient had travelled to the Chinese Mainland and Vietnam during the incubation period.

Hong Kong has recorded 31 DF cases so far this year, comprising 29 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 156 imported cases and five local cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million DF cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over five million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to July 2026, around 1.9 million cases and over 1 000 DF-related deaths have been recorded globally. Some Asian countries (including Sri Lanka and Cambodia) are experiencing large outbreaks this year, with figures reaching record highs in recent years.

DF has been prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations all along. So far this year, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam each recorded over 70 000 cases; Cambodia and Malaysia each recorded over 60 000 cases; Bangladesh recorded over 40 000 cases; India recorded over 30 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 2 300 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Guangdong Province has recorded over 3 500 local cases in 2025. In 2026, as of August 31, Guangdong Province has recorded 431 local cases, of which 150 were recorded in August.

Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.

Chikungunya fever

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From September 4 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases.

According to the WHO, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths were reported in 41 countries/territories last year. Cases were reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, in 2026, as of August 31, Guangdong Province has recorded 733 local cases, with 496 recorded in August, a sharp increase from the 35 and 170 cases recorded in June and July respectively.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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The CHP reminds members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

• read the label instructions carefully first;

• apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

• apply on exposed skin and clothing;

• use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

• apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

• reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

• in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.

The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image