Industrial Production for Manufacturing Industries Up 3.1%, Corresponding Producer Prices Rise 17.7% in Q1 2026

Provisional statistics on index of industrial production and producer price index for manufacturing and waste management sectors for first quarter of 2026

According to the provisional results of a survey released today (June 12) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 3.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 5.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The corresponding producer price index increased by 17.7% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 9.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The index of industrial production for sewerage, waste management and remediation activities decreased by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year decrease of 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The corresponding producer price index increased by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.

Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the first quarter of 2026 with that a year earlier, increases in output volume were recorded mainly in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (+6.6%), and the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+2.1%). On the other hand, decreases in output volume were recorded in the textiles and wearing apparel industry (-4.7%), and the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (-2.6%).

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole decreased by 2.6% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025.

Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.

Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with a year earlier, increases in producer prices were recorded for all major manufacturing industries. The metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry had the largest increase in producer price (+32.0%), followed by the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+2.7%), the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+1.4%), and the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+1.3%).

Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping.

The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors for the first quarter of 2026 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_8000.html) and relevant publications of the Department starting from July 17, 2026.

Users can browse and download the reports "Quarterly Index of Industrial Production for Manufacturing and Waste Management Sectors, 1st Quarter 2026" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070002&scode=310) and "Quarterly Producer Price Index for Manufacturing and Waste Management Sectors, 1st Quarter 2026" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070003&scode=280) at the website of the C&SD.

For enquiries about indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors, please contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7247; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk).

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

Hong Kong resident jailed for conspiracy to defraud, making false statutory declaration and conspiracy to obtain services by deception

A Hong Kong male resident charged with two counts of conspiracy to defraud, one count of making a false statutory declaration and one count of conspiracy to obtain services by deception, was convicted and sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment by Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (June 11).

The Outside Investigation Section of the Immigration Department (ImmD) through intelligence analysis suspected the 34-year-old Hong Kong male residentdefendant had contracted two bogus marriages with two Mainland resident females. The defendant was found to have married the first Mainlander female in Hong Kong in 2017. The said female later obtained a Confirmation Certificate on Delivery Booking from a local private hospital for delivery services in Hong Kong. The said female attempted to enter Hong Kong for delivery in November of the same year. Due to doubts on the marital relationship between her and the defendant, she was refused permission to land by the ImmD and subsequently gave birth on the Mainland. After the defendant subsequently divorced the first female, he contracted a marriage with another Mainland resident female on the Chinese Mainland in 2021.

During the follow-up investigation by the ImmD, the defendant was subsequently arrested, the defendant under caution admitted that he was paid a total of about $40,000 as a monetary reward to contract bogus marriages with two Mainland resident females in order to assist them to obtain visit endorsements and residency status in Hong Kong. The defendant also admitted that he knowingly made a false statutory declaration at a District Office, claiming to be the father of the expected child of the first Mainland resident female even though he knew that the expectant baby was not born to him, in order to assist the Mainlander female to obtain a Confirmation Certificate on Delivery Booking for delivery in Hong Kong. The investigation of other suspects is still underway, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.

"The ImmD is concerned about the situation of non-local pregnant women seeking to give birth in Hong Kong by illegal means. While great efforts are made to intercept non-local pregnant women without a confinement booking at the control points, vigorous enforcement actions have also been taken to combat related immigration offences committed by non-local pregnant women and their abettors. Furthermore, the ImmD will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages. For people who have obtained their residency in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residence status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin," an Immigration Department spokesman said.

"According to the Immigration Ordinance, any person who makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true to immigration officers commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution, and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Conspiracy to defraud is a serious offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction, under the Crimes Ordinance, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years. Moreover, under the Crimes Ordinance, a person who knowingly and willfully makes a false statutory declaration shall be liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to the maximum penalty of imprisonment for two years. Under the Theft Ordinance, a person who by any deception dishonestly obtains services from another shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, upon conviction, to the maximum penalty of imprisonment for 10 years," the ImmDspokesman warned.

Source: AI-found images