The Zhitong Finance App learned that on October 28, foreign merchandise trade statistics released by the Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government showed that in September 2026, Hong Kong's overall export and import values recorded year-on-year increases of 64.9% and 57.8%, respectively.
Following a year-on-year increase of 53.0% in August 2026, the overall export value of commodities in September 2026 was $762.6 billion (HK$, same below), up 64.9% from the same month of 2025. Meanwhile, after recording a year-on-year increase of 60.0% in August 2026, the value of imported goods in September 2026 was 808.9 billion yuan, up 57.8% from the same month of 2025. A tangible trade deficit of 46.3 billion yuan was recorded in September 2026, equivalent to 5.7% of the value of imported goods.
The overall export value of commodities for the first nine months of 2026 increased by 45.2% compared to the same period in 2025. At the same time, the value of imported goods increased by 45.0%. A tangible trade deficit of 417.7 billion yuan was recorded in the first nine months of 2026, equivalent to 7.0% of the value of imported goods.
Seasonally adjusted figures show that in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, the overall export value of goods increased by 8.8%. At the same time, the value of imported goods increased by 7.9%.
Compared with September 2026 and the same month of 2025, the overall value of exports to Asia increased by 67.5%. Within this region, increases were recorded in the overall value of exports to most major destinations, particularly Taiwan Province of China (up 159.3%), Malaysia (up 131.5%), Thailand (up 118.0%), Singapore (up 77.5%), and Mainland China (Mainland) (68.1%).
In addition to destinations in Asia, the overall value of exports to some major destinations in other regions recorded increases, particularly Mexico (up 148.1%) and the United States (up 133.4%).
Over the same period, the value of imports from most major suppliers recorded increases, particularly South Korea (up 231.1%), Vietnam (up 118.7%), Malaysia (73.9%), India (61.3%), and the Mainland (up 55.6%).
The first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025 recorded increases in the overall value of exports to most major destinations, particularly Taiwan Province of China (up 82.2%), Singapore (up 81.8%), the US (up 70.7%), Thailand (up 64.2%), Malaysia (62.3%), and the Mainland (up 49.4%).
Over the same period, the value of imports from most major suppliers recorded increases, particularly South Korea (up 151.7%), India (up 98.5%), the United Kingdom (up 78.6%), Vietnam (77.5%), Malaysia (52.4%), and the Mainland (up 46.1%).
Compared between September 2026 and the same month of 2025, the overall export value of most major commodity categories recorded increases, particularly electrical machinery, instruments and tools and parts (up $155.6 billion, up 66.2%), and office machines and automatic data processing equipment (up 887.7 billion yuan, up 183.7%).
Over the same period, imports of most major categories recorded increases in the value of imports, particularly electrical machinery, instruments and appliances and parts (up $153.5 billion, up 64.5%), office machines and automatic data processing equipment (up 60.6 billion yuan, up 142.0%), and communications, recording and audio equipment and instruments (up $49 billion, up 81.7%).
Compared between the first nine months of 2026 and the same period in 2025, the overall export value of most major commodity categories recorded increases, particularly electrical machinery, instruments and tools and parts (up $973.7 billion, up 52.6%), office machines and automatic data processing equipment (up 324.8 billion yuan, up 63.9%), and communications, recording and audio equipment and instruments (up 225.7 billion yuan, up 51.4%).
Over the same period, imports of most major categories recorded increases in the value of imports, particularly electrical machinery, instruments and appliances and parts (up $953.6 billion, up 51.3%), communications, recording and audio equipment and instruments (up $297.3 billion, up 63.3%), and office machines and automatic data processing equipment (up $231.1 billion, up 53.8%).
A government spokesman said that, driven by continued strong export performance of electronic products related to artificial intelligence, commodity exports surged a further 64.9% year on year in September, recording double digit growth for 20 consecutive months, and recorded the fastest month-on-month year-on-year increase in more than 40 years. Exports to all major markets have risen markedly.
Looking ahead, Hong Kong's commodity trade performance will continue to benefit from the current strong investment boom related to artificial intelligence and strong global economic growth. However, peripheral uncertainties deserve close attention, including the Middle East conflict, protectionist trade measures by major economies, and the risks associated with the rapid expansion of global AI investment.