The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 25) the external merchandise trade statistics for July 2026. In July 2026, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 50.7% and 41.0% respectively.

     In July 2026, the value of total exports of goods increased by 50.7% over a year earlier to $672.5 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 53.4% in June 2026. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 41.0% over a year earlier to $677.4 billion in July 2026, after a year-on-year increase by 45.4% in June 2026. A visible trade deficit of $4.9 billion, equivalent to 0.7% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in July 2026.

     For the first seven months of 2026 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 40.9% over the same period in 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 40.6%. A visible trade deficit of $299.4 billion, equivalent to 6.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first seven months of 2026.

     Comparing the three-month period ending July 2026 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 8.4%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 2.3%.

Analysis by country/territory

     Comparing July 2026 with July 2025, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 54.6%.  In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Taiwan (+95.7%), Vietnam (+77.7%), Thailand (+63.1%), Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+56.5%), Singapore (+46.5%) and Malaysia (+41.5%).

     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 (+92.9%) and Mexico (+48.9%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Korea (+146.6%), India (+110.7%), the United Kingdom (+106.3%), Malaysia (+66.7%), the USA (+62.6%) and the Mainland (+37.1%).

     Comparing the first seven 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 (+82.6%), Taiwan (+73.4%), the USA (+63.2%), Thailand (+55.6%), Vietnam (+50.4%) and the Mainland (+44.6%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Korea (+122.2%), India (+105.7%), the United Kingdom (+88.3%), Vietnam (+72.0%), Malaysia (+45.9%) and the Mainland (+43.2%).

Analysis by major commodity

     Comparing July 2026 with July 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 $121.6 billion or +54.0%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $54.3 billion or +106.5%).

     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 $104.0 billion or +47.1%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $33.9 billion or +78.9%) and "non-ferrous metals" (by $22.7 billion or +242.5%).

     Comparing the first seven 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 $682.9 billion or +48.8%), "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $179.5 billion or +54.3%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $176.9 billion or +42.7%).

     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 $661.0 billion or +47.0%), "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $219.1 billion or +62.2%) and "non-ferrous metals" (by $115.7 billion or +205.2%).

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that merchandise exports surged further in July. The value of merchandise exports grew by 50.7% over a year earlier, with exports of AI-related electronic products again registering particularly impressive growth. Exports to most major markets continued to increase visibly.

     Looking ahead, robust global demand for AI-related electronic products is expected to continue supporting Hong Kong's merchandise trade performance. However, downside risks remain. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, trade protectionism among advanced economies, and risks associated with the rapid expansion of global investment in AI all warrant close monitoring.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for July 2026. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2023 to July 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 July 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 July 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 July 2026 will be released in mid-September 2026.

     The July 2026 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in July 2026 and will be available in early September 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).

Ends/Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:30

NNNN