BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam’s total exports value edged down in the fourth quarter of 2025 despite a notable increase in export volumes, reflecting softer prices in key commodities.
According to the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS), exports were valued at BND3.33 billion in Q4 2025, a 1.1 per cent decline from BND3.37 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier.
The drop came even as the exports volume index rose by 9.3 per cent year-on-year, driven largely by higher shipments of mineral fuels, particularly petroleum products, alongside gains in chemicals and manufactured goods.
However, the overall value was weighed down by a 2.6 per cent fall in the exports unit value index, indicating lower prices across several categories. The decline was mainly attributed to food items – especially fish, vegetables and fruits – as well as chemicals and miscellaneous manufactured articles.
On an annual basis, the trend was more pronounced. Total exports value for 2025 fell by 10.5 per cent to BND13.45 billion, compared to BND15.03 billion in 2024. The contraction was primarily driven by a sharp 12.8 per cent drop in the unit value index, alongside a 2.1 per cent decrease in export volumes.
The weakening in export prices was largely linked to mineral fuels, chemicals, and machinery and transport equipment, underscoring continued volatility in global commodity markets.
Meanwhile, imports provided a contrasting picture in the final quarter of the year. Total imports value rose by 5.8 per cent year-on-year to BND2.25 billion in Q4 2025, supported by modest increases in both volume and unit value indices.
The uptick in imports was led by higher demand for mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, and chemicals, while price increases were observed in miscellaneous manufactured articles, particularly professional and scientific instruments.
Despite the quarterly increase, total imports value for the full year declined by 11.6 per cent to BND8.62 billion, reflecting decreases in both import volumes and prices.
The International Merchandise Trade Index (IMTI), which tracks changes in the volume and unit value of traded goods, highlights the divergence between quantity and price trends, offering key insights into Brunei’s external trade performance and global competitiveness. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
