The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released (January 26) the external merchandise trade statistics for December 2020. In December 2020, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 11.7% and 14.1% respectively.

In December 2020, the value of total exports of goods increased by 11.7% over a year earlier to $392.2 billion, after a year-on-year increase of 5.6% in November 2020. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 14.1% over a year earlier to $437.9 billion in December 2020, after a year-on-year increase of 5.1% in November 2020. A visible trade deficit of $45.7 billion, equivalent to 10.4% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in December 2020.

For 2020 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods decreased by 1.5% over 2019. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods decreased by 3.3%. A visible trade deficit of $342.2 billion, equivalent to 8.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in 2020.

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2020 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 5.5%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 8.9%.