Hong Kong September exports surge 64.9% year-on-year, driven by AI-related electronics
Hong Kong's September 2026 total exports rose 64.9 per cent year-on-year to HK$762.6 billion, the fastest monthly growth in over 40 years. Imports increased 57.8 per cent. The government attributed the surge to sustained strong demand for AI-related electronic products.
Hong Kong's total exports in September 2026 rose 64.9 per cent year-on-year to HK$762.6 billion, following a 53.0 per cent increase in August, according to official trade statistics released on 28 October. Imports grew 57.8 per cent to HK$808.9 billion, after a 60.0 per cent rise in August. The visible trade deficit for the month stood at HK$46.3 billion, equivalent to 5.7 per cent of import value.
For the first nine months of 2026, total exports increased 45.2 per cent year-on-year, while imports rose 45.0 per cent. The cumulative visible trade deficit reached HK$417.7 billion, or 7.0 per cent of imports. Seasonally adjusted figures showed total exports in the third quarter of 2026 rose 8.8 per cent from the previous quarter, while imports climbed 7.9 per cent.
By destination, exports to Asia rose 67.5 per cent in September, with particularly strong gains to Taiwan (up 159.3 per cent), Malaysia (up 131.5 per cent), Thailand (up 118.0 per cent), Singapore (up 77.5 per cent) and mainland China (up 68.1 per cent). Outside Asia, exports to Mexico surged 148.1 per cent and to the United States 133.4 per cent. On the import side, supplies from South Korea jumped 231.1 per cent, Vietnam 118.7 per cent, Malaysia 73.9 per cent, India 61.3 per cent and mainland China 55.6 per cent.
By product category, exports of electric machinery, instruments and parts rose by HK$155.6 billion (66.2 per cent), and office machines and automatic data processing equipment by HK$87.7 billion (183.7 per cent). Imports of electric machinery, instruments and parts increased by HK$153.5 billion (64.5 per cent), office machines and automatic data processing equipment by HK$60.6 billion (142.0 per cent), and communications, recording and sound equipment by HK$49.0 billion (81.7 per cent).
A government spokesperson said the September export surge, the 20th consecutive month of double-digit growth, was the fastest monthly year-on-year increase in more than four decades, driven by sustained strong demand for AI-related electronic products. Exports to all major markets recorded significant rises. The spokesperson added that Hong Kong's trade performance will continue to benefit from the current strong AI investment wave and resilient global economic growth, but noted external uncertainties including the Middle East conflict, protectionist measures in major economies, and risks from the rapid expansion of global AI investment.
