Brunei experienced a significant reduction in its trade surplus, which dropped to BND 465.8 million in February 2025, down from BND 689.1 million in February of the previous year. This decline was driven by a more pronounced decrease in exports compared to imports. Export revenues plummeted by 27.0% year-on-year, reaching a four-month low of BND 1,130 million. This downturn was largely due to substantial decreases in the export of mineral fuels, which fell by 35.5%, and chemicals, which decreased by 8.7%. The principal export destinations were China, comprising 24.8% of exports, followed closely by Japan at 22.8%, Australia at 22.7%, Singapore at 9.4%, and Malaysia at 7.3%.
Conversely, imports decreased by 22.6%, resulting in a four-month low of BND 664.2 million. This reduction was influenced by declines in several sectors: mineral fuels (-27.5%), manufactured goods (-31.2%), machinery and transport equipment (-11.9%), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (-16.9%). The majority of imports originated from Malaysia, accounting for 39.1%, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 17.1%, and Papua New Guinea at 10.9%.
Over January and February 2025, Brunei's trade surplus contracted to BND 982.7 million compared to BND 1,152.3 million recorded in the same period of 2024.
