Hong Kong's goods exports and imports recorded year-on-year increases in June of 11.9 percent and 11.1 percent respectively, according to statistics released by the city’s Census and Statistics Department on Monday.

The value of goods exports reached  HK$417.8 billion ($53 billion) in June, marking 16 consecutive months of growth. The value of goods imports was HK$476.7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of HK$58.9 billion, equivalent to 12.4 percent of total imports value.        

In the first half of 2025, goods exports and imports increased by 12.5 percent and 12.6 percent respectively, with a trade deficit of HK$183.6 billion.  

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Hong Kong’s goods exports to Asia surged during the period by 17.2 percent, led by strong demand from Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Shipments to the Chinese mainland rose 18.3 percent, while exports to the US and the Netherlands declined. Imports from Vietnam and the UK saw significant growth, though imports from South Korea fell 27.1 percent.        

Electrical machinery exports rose 20.2 percent year-on-year in June, while office equipment exports grew 10.4 percent. Imports of telecommunications equipment also increased by 17.7 percent.

A Hong Kong government spokesman said the city’s trade resilience was driven by steady demand in Asia, particularly from the Chinese mainland, but cautioned about global trade policy uncertainties.  

Exports to the Chinese mainland and most other Asian markets continued to expand visibly, while those to the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) fell, he said.

Gary Ng, a senior economist in the Asian and emerging markets research team of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), said in an online workshop on Monday that Hong Kong brands are popular among ASEAN consumers on cross-border e-commerce platforms. According to an HKTDC survey, nearly 70 percent of online shoppers from ASEAN countries have purchased a Hong Kong-sourced product in the past 12 months.

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Regarding trade between Hong Kong and ASEAN regions, Ng said in 2023, Hong Kong ranked as the third-largest external investor in ASEAN and in 2024, ASEAN became Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner, trailing only the Chinese mainland.

Terence Chong Tai-leung, executive director of the Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told China Daily that the June data for Hong Kong released on Monday indicated a more than 11 percent growth rate, a deceleration compared to May. However, economic activity on the mainland showed improved momentum in June relative to the previous month, he added.

While the mainland‘s overall international trade activity remained robust, Hong Kong’s growth moderated due to a reduced volume of trade routed through its ports, particularly those involving the US market, Chong said. This underscores Hong Kong’s sensitivity to changes in global trade flows and routing preferences, he added.

Li Xiaoyun and Wu Menglei contributed to this story

Contact the writers at mikegu@chinadailyhk.com