Macau’s food and beverage imports rose 29.2 percent year on year to 19.7 billion patacas last year, the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) has announced. 

According to a DSEC statement earlier this week, food and beverages accounted for 14.1 percent of Macau’s imports last year. They were the only import segment exceeding 10 million patacas last year that recorded year-on-year growth. Food and beverages were Macau’s number-one import segment, ahead of beauty, cosmetic and skincare products which fell 25.0 percent to 19.3 billion patacas. 

Total imports dropped 9.1 percent to 139.8 billion patacas, while exports grew 4.3 percent to 13.5 billion patacas. Re-exports accounted for 85.0 percent of all exports.

Some 76.2 percent of Macau’s exports last year were shipped to Hong Kong. About 9.7 percent went to the Chinese mainland. 

Most of Macau’s imports originated from mainland China (30.4 percent), France (18.7 percent), and Italy (10.9 percent). 

Macau’s external merchandise trade deficit amounted to 126.3 billion patacas in 2022. 

Macau, a free port since 1845, is a separate customs territory of China, a founder member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and a full member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).