Hong Kong's exports rose 0.1% year over year to HK$389.1 billion in January while exports grew 0.5% to HK$387.1 billion during the month, the city's census and statistics department said Tuesday.

The rise is attributable to the different timings of the Lunar New Year, according to a government spokesman.

Export growth in January was slower compared with the 5.2% rise recorded in December 2024, while the rise in imports compares with a 1.1% fall in the previous month.

The city recorded a trade surplus of HK$2.1 billion in January, the department said.

For the three months ended January, exports grew 3.1% while imports inched up 0.9%.

Exports to the US surged 15% while exports northward to China slipped 2.1%.

Office and automatic data processing machine exports surged 41% while imports of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts grew 7.8%, according to the department.

Higher trade protectionism would impact Hong Kong's exports, while steady economic growth and stimulus measures in mainland China would help support the city's economy, the spokesman said.