External merchandise trade statistics for May 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 25) the external merchandise trade statistics for May 2026. In May 2026, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 40.8% and 42.0% respectively.
In May 2026, the value of total exports of goods increased by 40.8% over a year earlier to $611.2 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 42.9% in April 2026. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 42.0% over a year earlier to $655.4 billion in May 2026, after a year-on-year increase by 44.4% in April 2026. A visible trade deficit of $44.2 billion, equivalent to 6.7% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in May 2026.
For the first five months of 2026 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 36.2% over the same period in 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 39.6%. A visible trade deficit of $242.2 billion, equivalent to 8.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first five months of 2026.
Comparing the three-month period ending May 2026 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 17.1%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 16.3%.
Analysis by country/territory
Comparing May 2026 with May 2025, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 44.6%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+114.2%), Taiwan (+90.2%), Vietnam (+67.8%), Thailand (+56.0%), and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+48.5%).
Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the United Kingdom (+61.7%) and the USA (+55.7%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Korea (+107.4%), India (+95.2%), Vietnam (+76.5%), Malaysia (+60.2%) and the Mainland (+51.2%).
Comparing the first five months of 2026 with the same period in 2025, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+91.5%), Taiwan (+66.6%), Thailand (+54.3%), Malaysia (+53.9%), the USA (+46.8%) and the Mainland (+39.1%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular India (+106.7%), Korea (+105.7%), the United Kingdom (+92.4%), Vietnam (+88.2%) and the Mainland (+45.2%).
Analysis by major commodity
Comparing May 2026 with May 2025, 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 $114.3 billion or +56.1%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $30.7 billion or +50.2%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $19.2 billion or +37.6%).
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 $108.7 billion or +51.6%), "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $29.9 billion or +61.2%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $23.6 billion or +44.5%).
Comparing the first five months of 2026 with the same period in 2025, 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 $440.1 billion or +45.7%), "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $123.9 billion or +55.7%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $76.9 billion or +24.4%).
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 $437.6 billion or +45.4%), "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $166.7 billion or +72.6%) and "non-ferrous metals" (by $83.6 billion or +226.2%).
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that merchandise exports sustained a robust expansion in May, with merchandise exports value growing by 40.8% over a year earlier, underpinned by strong global demand for AI-related electronic products. Exports to most major markets registered notable growth.
Looking ahead, the still-vibrant global demand for AI-related electronic products should continue to support Hong Kong's merchandise trade performance. The recent easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has provided short-term relief to the global economic outlook; however, headwinds remain. The Government will stay vigilant to external risks.
Further information
Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for May 2026. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2023 to May 2026, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for May 2026 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 May 2026.
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 May 2026 will be released in mid-July 2026.
The May 2026 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in May 2026 and will be available in early July 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: 3863 2592).
The Census and Statistics Department, Photo source: reference image
