The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 27) the external merchandise trade statistics for April 2024. In April 2024, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 11.9% and 3.7% respectively.

In April 2024, the value of total exports of goods increased by 11.9% over a year earlier to $378.7 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 4.7% in March 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 3.7% over a year earlier to $388.9 billion in April 2024, after a year-on-year increase by 5.3% in March 2024. A visible trade deficit of $10.2 billion, equivalent to 2.6% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in April 2024.

For the first four months of 2024 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 11.9% over the same period in 2023. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 6.9%. A visible trade deficit of $93.9 billion, equivalent to 6.1% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first four months of 2024.

Comparing the three-month period ending April 2024 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 3.6%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 2.3%.

Analysis by country/territory

Comparing April 2024 with April 2023, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 15.7%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+38.4%), Thailand (+33.2%), Vietnam (+22.1%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+21.3%) and the Philippines (+16.3%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to India (-28.5%) and Japan (-13.5%).

Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the USA (+17.1%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to the Netherlands (-24.3%) and Germany (-21.5%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+48.8%), Korea (+47.9%), Singapore (+45.1%), Malaysia (+11.9%) and the Mainland (+5.7%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of imports from Taiwan (-19.6%) and the USA (-12.2%).

For the first four months of 2024 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Thailand (+37.2%), the Mainland (+20.5%), Vietnam (+18.8%), the United Arab Emirates (+15.6%) and the USA (+8.7%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the Netherlands (-26.9%).

Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Korea (+55.6%), Vietnam (+40.6%), Singapore (+22.1%), Thailand (+10.6%) and the Mainland (+8.7%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of imports from India (-11.1%) and Taiwan (-10.6%).

Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4691).