Hong Kong exports, imports beat expectations in September on strong Asia demand

Hong Kong’s exports and imports both beat expectations in September, supported by continued robust shipments to Chinese mainland and other Asian markets, while exports to the US and EU also grew moderately, government data showed.

Total exports rose 16.1 percent year-on-year to HK$462.3 billion, up from August’s 14.5 percent gain, while imports increased 13.6 percent to HK$512.5 billion, up from 11.5 percent in the previous month, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

For the first nine months of 2025, exports rose 13.4 percent to HK$4.62 trillion and imports increased 13.1 percent to HK$5.56 trillion, with a cumulative trade deficit of HK$293.9 billion, or 7.2 percent of imports.

By destination, September exports to Asia rose 18.3 percent, including Vietnam 50.9 percent, Malaysia 40.0 percent, Taiwan 31.9 percent, India 19.5 percent, and Chinese mainland 16.7 percent. Exports to Switzerland jumped 138.5 percent and Germany 27.6 percent.

Major commodities showing growth included electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, up 22.8 percent, and telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment, up 14.5 percent.

Imports in September also grew from most major suppliers, including the UK by 70.3 percent, Vietnam by 68.7 percent, Singapore by 33.2 percent, the mainland by 19.4 percent, and Japan by 12.9 percent. But imports from Taiwan fell 19.0 percent.

A government spokesman said trade should continue to benefit from global economic expansion and strengthened trade ties with different markets, though US trade policy poses near-term uncertainties.

STAFF REPORTER