FX.co ★ Brunei Trade Surplus Widens Sharply

Brunei’s trade surplus surged to BND 457.2 million in May 2026, up from BND 254.5 million in the same month a year earlier, as export growth outpaced imports. On an annual basis, exports jumped 52.8% to BND 1.57 billion, largely driven by an 80.7% increase in mineral fuel shipments. Australia remained Brunei’s largest export market, accounting for 28.3% of total exports, followed by the Philippines (14.1%), Japan (13.0%), Singapore (11.4%), and China (9.9%).

Imports rose at a slower rate, climbing 44.0% to BND 1.12 billion, mainly due to a 66.7% increase in mineral fuel purchases. Malaysia was the leading source of imports, supplying 69.5% of total inbound goods, ahead of Australia (10.5%), Vietnam (4.9%), China (2.8%), and the United States (2.6%).

Over the first five months of 2026, the trade surplus widened to BND 3.15 billion from BND 2.12 billion in the same period a year earlier, as exports expanded 27.7% while imports grew at a more modest 15.6%.