In 2022, imports of agricultural products to Hong Kong amounted to 23.4 billion US dollars, a decrease of 13.6% (-3.7 billion US dollars) compared to 2021. The volume of imports for 2018-2022 decreased annually by an average of 5.5%.
Hong Kong is one of the regions with a high level of economic openness due to foreign trade activities (including significant volumes of re-export and re-import of China). Due to the lack of domestic production due to limited territory and high land prices, Hong Kong imports a wide range of agricultural products.
By the end of 2022, beef and by-products of cattle (6.5% of value imports), cherries (5.7%), other food products (5.1%), grape wines (4.4%), as well as pork and by-products of pigs (3.2%) dominated in import.
In 2022, Hong Kong reduced purchases for almost all major commodity items. Only water without sugar and additives showed an increase relative to 2021 — by 0.8% (+5.5 million US dollars). A decrease in import volumes was observed in all other top-10 import categories. The most significant decrease was in imports of beef and cattle foodstuffs (by 40.6% or -1.0 billion US dollars), pork and pig by-products (by 51.6% or -796.6 million US dollars).
The main exporter of agricultural products to Hong Kong in 2022 was China — the country accounted for 33.1% of the value of imports of agricultural products or 7.8 billion US dollars.
Significant volumes of products to Hong Kong also came from Japan (7.2%), Chile (6.8%), the USA (6.7%) and Thailand (5.5%). Collectively, the top 10 countries accounted for 73.9% of the value of imports of agricultural products of Hong Kong.
In 2018-2022, Hong Kong significantly increased shipments from China (by 9.0% or +642.9 million US dollars) and Chile (by 42.5% or +476.9 million US dollars). At the same time, imports from the United States decreased (by 63.9% or -2.8 billion US dollars) and Brazil (by 61.2% or -1.5 billion US dollars).
Grain imports
The main grain crop consumed in Hong Kong is rice, the consumption of which in 2022 amounted to more than 42 kg per capita. However, due to geographical features, Hong Kong cannot meet the demand due to domestic production and is forced to import rice from other countries.
In 2022, Hong Kong purchased 313.1 thousand tons of grain for US$ 260.2 million, which is 0.6% in volume more than 2021, but at the same time 2.2% less in value. Hong Kong's grain imports decreased annually by an average of 2.9% by weight and 4.1% by value.
Rice accounted for the largest share in the structure of Hong Kong grain imports — 95.4% of supplies by value. Hong Kong also bought corn (2.5%), wheat (1.2%) and quinoa (0.6%) on foreign markets. The most significant increase in wheat imports in 2022 was by 43.2% in volume and by 58.4% in value terms. At the same time, rice imports, despite an increase in volume by 0.4% (+1.1 thousand tons), decreased in value by 2.8% (-7.1 million US dollars).
The largest grain exporter to Hong Kong in 2022 was Thailand, which accounted for 58.5% of grain imports by value. Thailand mainly supplied rice. The second largest supplier was Vietnam, which exported 63.2 thousand tons of rice worth 39.6 million US dollars to Hong Kong in 2022. In total, the top 10 countries accounted for 98.5% of imports in value.
The largest increase in 2022 was observed in shipments from Thailand — by 8.8% in volume and by 3.0% in value. At the same time, supplies from Vietnam have significantly decreased — by 16.3% by weight and by 19.5% by value.
Import of meat and meat products
Hong Kong is the leader in the Asian region in beef and pork consumption. Due to the impossibility of full self-sufficiency in meat, Hong Kong imports significant volumes of these products. In 2022, the region became the 11th in the world in terms of imports of meat and meat by-products — 991.5 thousand tons worth 3.68 billion US dollars.
Compared to 2021, imports decreased by 37.3% (-589.2 thousand tons) in volume and by 35.8% (-2.0 billion US dollars) in value. On average, imports of Hong Kong meat products for 2018-2022 decreased annually by 21.4% by weight and 15.9% by value.
The largest share was accounted by the supply of beef - 41.3%. Significant volumes of pork and pig by-products (20.3%) and poultry meat (19.9%) were also imported. In total, mentioned above products accounted for 81.6% of imports of meat in value terms.
There was a decrease in almost all major imported products. Beef imports decreased the most (by 45.6% in volume and by 40.6% in value) and pork and pig by-products (by 43.6% and 51.6%, respectively).
Also, a significant share of deliveries was from the USA — 62.8 thousand tons of products worth 470.8 million US dollars. In total, the top 10 countries accounted for 82.6% of the value of meat imports to Hong Kong.
In 2022, only China (+2.4% by weight and +3.6% by value) and Vietnam (+34.4% and +47.0%, respectively) demonstrated positive dynamics of imports of meat products from the top 10 countries. Other countries have reduced exports of meat products to Hong Kong. Supplies from Brazil decreased the most — by 42.9% (-239.6 thousand tons) in volume and by 50.5% (-853.1 million US dollars) in value.
Import of milk and dairy products
Hong Kong practically does not produce milk and dairy products. The needs of the domestic market are fully met by imports, while the solvent population forms a significant demand for expensive high-quality products from economically developed countries.
In 2022, Hong Kong imported 228.1 thousand tons of milk and dairy products worth 976.0 million US dollars, which is 7.8% in volume and 17.8% in value less than 2021. Imports of milk and dairy products of Hong Kong annually decreased by an average of 8.2% by weight and 16.0% by value.
In the structure of imports of Hong Kong dairy products in value, the largest share in 2022 was occupied by the supply of milk powder (52.5% of the volume). The country also imported significant volumes of drinking milk and cream (12.6%) and cheeses (10.8%). In total, the above positions accounted for 76.0% of imports of dairy products in value.
The largest exporter of milk and dairy products to Hong Kong in 2022 was New Zealand, which accounted for 26.9% of value imports. The country mainly supplied powdered milk. The second largest supplier was China, which in 2022 supplied 40.3 thousand tons of products worth US$ 164.7 million (mainly milk powder) to the Hong Kong market.
Also, a significant share was occupied by the Netherlands (11.4% of imports), which mainly supply powdered and concentrated milk. In total, the top 10 countries accounted for 85.9% of the value of imports of milk and dairy products of Hong Kong.
The largest increase in value was observed in the supply of dairy products from Germany (by 26.1% or +5.8 million US dollars) and Thailand (by 13.0% or +4.8 million US dollars). At the same time, there was a significant decrease in supplies from China — by 42.5% or -121.9 million US dollars.
Import of fish and seafood
Hong Kong is in the top 15 world importers of fish and seafood (13th place), as well as in the top 10 countries-consumers of these products per capita. By 2021, the total volume of fish catch and production in the region covered about 23% of domestic consumption. The remaining part of Hong Kong's demand for these products is covered by imports.
In 2022, Hong Kong imported 253.8 thousand tons of fish and seafood worth 2.88 billion US dollars, which is 8.7% (-24.3 thousand tons) in physical terms and 3.5% (-104.4 million US dollars) in value less than 2021. On average, Hong Kong's imports decreased annually by 3.9% by weight and 2.0% by value.
In terms of value, crustaceans accounted for the largest share of Hong Kong's fish and seafood imports — 22.2%. The main imported products also included shellfish (17.7%), live fish (15.1%) and fresh and cooled fish (15.0%). In total, these types of products accounted for 70.0% of the value of Hong Kong's fish and seafood imports.
The most significant increase in imports of fresh and cooled fish in 2022 was by 0.3% in volume and by 13.7% in value. At the same time, the import of crustaceans decreased (by 13.0% by weight and by 12.8% by value), as well as shellfish (by 16.5% and 11.3%, respectively).
The main suppliers of fish and seafood to Hong Kong in 2022 were China (31.5% of the value) and Japan (14.1%). The basis of China's exports was live fish, while the main exported product of Japan was shellfish. In total, the top 10 fish and seafood supplier countries accounted for 75.0% of Hong Kong's imports.
The most significant increase in imports in 2022 was from Norway (by 14.0% or +18.5 million US dollars) and Vietnam (by 14.5% or +17.8 million US dollars). At the same time, the export of fish from China has significantly decreased — by 13.2% (-20.6 thousand tons) in volume and by 9.1% (-90.1 million US dollars) in value.
Import of confectionery products
According to Euromonitor International, the consumption of confectionery in Hong Kong in 2022 amounted to about 102 thousand tons. At the same time, the volume of confectionery imports is significantly higher than domestic consumption due to the large share of re-exports of these products to China.
In 2022, Hong Kong imported 153.3 thousand tons of confectionery products worth 904.0 million US dollars, which is 5.5% in volume and 5.7% in value below 2021. Hong Kong confectionery imports decreased annually by an average of 5.2% by weight and 4.9% by value.
In the structure of Hong Kong confectionery imports, flour confectionery accounted for the largest share (52.6% of value). The rest of the deliveries fell on chocolate (33.1%) and sugary confectionery (14.3%).
The most significant increase in value was the increase in imports of flour confectionery, the supply of which increased by 3.6% (but at the same time decreased by 0.5% in volume). At the same time, the import of chocolate confectionery decreased significantly — by 12.7% by weight and by 13.5% by value.
Among the largest confectionery exporting countries to Hong Kong in 2022, China occupied the leading position (25.8% of imports in value terms), which mainly supplied flour confectionery. The second largest supplier was Japan, which in 2022 exported 21.8 thousand tons of products worth 179.2 million US dollars (mainly flour and sugar confectionery). In total, the top 10 countries accounted for 78.6% of the import in value.
Taiwan (+7.5% in volume and +18.3% in value) and Germany (+4.6% and +14.5%, respectively) showed the largest increase in deliveries of these products. At the same time, the import of confectionery products from Japan decreased (by 6.1% by weight and by 10.3% by value), as well as from the Netherlands (by 41.8% and 47.6%, respectively).
Import of alcoholic beverages
In 2022, Hong Kong imported 199.5 thousand tons of alcoholic beverages worth 1.71 billion US dollars. Imports of this product decreased relative to 2021 by 6.2% (-13.2 thousand tons) in volume and by 16.6% (-339.8 million US dollars) in value.
The country's alcohol imports decreased annually by an average of 5.1% by weight and 8.1% by value. In the structure of imports of alcoholic beverages in Hong Kong, the largest share was accounted by grape wines — 59.8% of the value of imports (US$ 1.0 billion). The country also imported significant volumes of other alcoholic spirits (14.4% of imports). In total, these products accounted for 74.3% of the country's imports.
The most significant increase in imports in value was an increase in alcoholic spirits — by 31.9% (in volume there was a decrease by 10%). At the same time, purchases of grape wines decreased significantly — by 10.4% (-4.1 thousand tons) by weight and by 25.1% (-342.6 million US dollars) by value.
Among the largest exporting countries of alcoholic beverages to Hong Kong in 2022, France occupied the leading position, which accounted for 22.8% of value imports. France mainly supplies grape wines. The second largest supplier of alcohol to Hong Kong was China, which in 2022 supplied 72.9 thousand tons of products worth 304.8 million US dollars. Also, a significant share of deliveries came from the UK — 3.6 thousand tons for 203.0 million US dollars, which mainly supplied grape wines. In total, the top 10 countries accounted for 87.8% of the value of alcoholic beverages in Hong Kong.
The most significant increase in 2022 was in the supply of products from China — by 16.9% (+10.5 thousand tons) in volume and by 29.4% (+69.3 million US dollars) in value. At the same time, there was a decline in supplies from France: by 17.2% by weight and by 37.3% by value.
Import of soft drinks and juices
Hong Kong is located in a sub-equatorial climate zone, where the average annual temperature is 23.5 °C and the city is characterized by dry or stuffy weather, and therefore the daily fluid intake by local residents is higher than the usual norm of about 2 liters per day. In addition, the high level of urbanization, education and income, combined with the global trend for a healthy lifestyle, cause an increased demand for soft drinks of well-known brands, as well as functional drinks.
Domestic beverage production in Hong Kong is limited, which forces the country to import significant volumes of this type of product. In 2022, Hong Kong imported 1.17 million tons of soft drinks and juices worth more than $1.0 billion. Imports of this category decreased relative to 2021 by 0.7% in volume (-8.1 thousand tons) and by 0.2% in value (-2.4 million US dollars).
In the structure of imports of soft drinks and juices of Hong Kong, the largest share was occupied by water without sugar and additives (65.5%) and soft drinks, except water and juices (30.5%). The share of fruit and vegetable juices was significantly lower and amounted to 4.0%.
The largest increase in imports in value terms was noted for non—alcoholic beverages, except for water and juices - an increase of +2.1% or 6.2 million US dollars.
At the same time, imports of fruit and vegetable juices decreased by 19.0% or 9.3 million US dollars.
Among the exporting countries of soft drinks and juices to Hong Kong in 2022, China occupied the leading position, accounting for 76.4% of the value of imports and which mainly supplied water without sugar and additives. The second largest supplier of soft drinks to Hong Kong was Japan, which exported 32.6 thousand tons of products worth 51.5 million US dollars to the country in 2022.
Also, a significant share of deliveries came from Taiwan — 33.1 thousand tons for 31.4 million US dollars. In total, the top 10 countries accounted for 95.2% of the value imports of non-alcoholic beverages and juices of Hong Kong.
In 2022, the largest increase in deliveries occurred in China (1.0% in volume and 2.9% in value) and Germany (91.5% and 81.7%, respectively). At the same time, imports of soft drinks from the United States decreased by 9.8% by weight and by 22.6% by value.
