Presented in descending order, the following list showcases the general product categories under which Singapore earned the highest trade surpluses in 2014.

1. Electronic equipment: US$32.8 billion (39.9% of all product surpluses)
2. Organic chemicals: $11 billion (13.4%)
3. Plastics, plastic articles: $8.7 billion (10.6%)
4. Machinery: $6.6 billion (8%)
5. Books, newspapers, pictures: $5.2 billion (6.3%)
6. Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $5.2 billion (6.3%)
7. Pharmaceuticals: $5 billion (6%)
8. Perfumes, cosmetics: $1.8 billion (2.2%)
9. Ships, boats: $1.3 billion (1.5%)
10. Cereal/milk preparations: $1.1 billion (1.4%)

The above top 10 product categories represent 77.6% of Singapore’s overall product-category surplus subtotal which amounted to $82.2 billion. For that subtotal, 28 of Singapore’s 97 general product categories delivered a surplus in 2014 while the remaining 69 categories incurred deficits.

Singapore enriched its trade surplus amounts at the fastest-pace during 2010 to 2014 under the product categories below.

1. Other chemical goods: Up 2,054% since 2010 (US$725.6 million)
2. Miscellaneous food preparations: Up 1,311% ($1.1 billion)
3. Books, newspapers, pictures: Up 628.8% ($5.2 billion)
4. Tobacco: Up 350.8% ($83.2 million)
5. Optical, technical, medical apparatus: Up 233% ($5.2 billion)
6. Cereal/milk preparations: Up 77.1% ($1.1 billion)
7. Plastics, plastic articles: Up 67.4% ($8.7 billion)
8. Cocoa: Up 59.6% ($197.3 million)
9. Perfumes, cosmetics: Up 50% ($1.8 billion)
10. Beverages, spirits, vinegar:Up 48% ($65.8 million)

From the perspective of the more detailed 4-digit harmonized tariff system (HTS) level, below are 15 products that enabled Singapore to achieve the highest surpluses in its international trade with other countries.

1. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: US$25.4 billion
2. Unused stamps (current or new issue): $4.5 billion
3. Medication mixes in dosage: $4.3 billion
4. Ethylene polymers: $3.9 billion
5. Unrecorded sound media: $3.3 billion
6. Computers, optical readers: $3.2 billion
7. Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $3 billion
8. Cyclic hydrocarbons: $2.9 billion
9. Propylene/olefin polymers: $2.8 billion
10. Amino-compounds (oxygen): $2.7 billion
11. Printing machinery: $2.6 billion
12. Machinery for making semi-conductors: $1.5 billion
13. Petroleum oil residues: $1.5 billion
14. Electrical machinery: $1.5 billion
15. Acyclic alcohols: $1.4 billion

Among these, unused stamps had the fastest-growing Singaporean surplus with a 1,049% gain since 2010. In second place was machinery for making semi-conductors up 408.2% while exported ethylene polymers moved ahead in value by 160.1%.

Presented in descending order, the following list shows with which trade partners Singapore earned the highest trade surpluses in 2014.

1. Hong Kong: US$41.8 billion (26.7% of Singaporean country-specific surpluses)
2. Indonesia: $19.6 billion (12.5%)
3. Australia: $10.8 billion (6.9%)
4. Malaysia: $10 billion (6.4%)
5. Vietnam: $9.7 billion (6.2%)
6. Panama: $9.2 billion (5.9%)
7. China: $7.1 billion (4.5%)
8. Thailand: $6.3 billion (4%)
9. Liberia: $3.9 billion (2.5%)
10. Belgium: $3.3 billion (2.1%)

The above 10 trade partners represent 77.6% of Singapore’s subtotal surplus of $156.7 billion from the 141 geographic entities with which Singapore demonstrated competitive trade advantages. That subtotal excludes the 82 geographic entities with which Singapore incurred trade deficits.

Singapore enriched its trade surplus amounts with the countries below at the fastest-pace during 2010 to 2014.

1. Namibia: Up 10,282% since 2010 (US$91.8 million)
2. Luxembourg: Up 8,603% ($509.4 million)
3. Togo: Up 860% ($202 million)
4. Mali: Up 498% ($4.4 million)
5. Albania: Up 473% ($1.9 million)
6. Laos: Up 432% ($107.1 million)
7. Uzbekistan: Up 409% ($8.6 million)
8. El Salvador: Up 361% ($3.8 million)
9. Gabon: Up 294% ($39.8 million)
10. Netherlands: Up 216.1% ($2.6 billion)

From the above list, Singapore showed major product supply advantages over trade partners with comparatively small populations and for generally small surplus amounts. However, Singapore did generate a positive trade balance exceeding half a billion dollars with Luxembourg – one of the world’s richest countries in terms of GDP per capita.

Below are the products that gave Singapore the highest surpluses in its international trade with Hong Kong.

1. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: US$22.8 billion (54.6% of Singapore’s surplus vs. Hong Kong)
2. Processed petroleum oils: $3 billion (7.2%)
3. Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $2.1 billion (5%)
4. Phone system devices: $769.4 million (1.8%)
5. Computers, optical readers: $764.5 million (1.8%)
6. Printing machinery: $750.4 million (1.8%)
7. Unused stamps (current or new issue): $572.5 million (1.4%)
8. Unrecorded sound media: $434.8 million (1%)
9. Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations: $369.7 million (0.9%)
10. Diamonds (unmounted/unset): $308.3 million (0.7%)

Among these, unused stamps had the fastest-growing Singaporean surplus with Hong Kong posting a 176.2% gain from 2010 to 2014. In second place were unmounted or unset diamonds up 94.8% followed by solar power diodes and semi-conductors ahead by 33.8%.

Below are the products that gave Singapore the highest surpluses in its international trade with Indonesia.

1. Processed petroleum oils: US$13.7 billion (35.6% of Singapore’s surplus vs. Indonesia)
2. Phone system devices: $1.2 billion (3.1%)
3. Machinery parts: $1.1 billion (2.9%)
4. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $810.1 million (2.1%)
5. Computer parts, accessories: $789.7 million (2.1%)
6. Propylene/olefin polymers: $653.4 million (1.7%)
7. Computers, optical readers: $581.2 million (1.5%)
8. Electrical machinery: $564.6 million (1.5%)
9. Cyclic hydrocarbons: $541.4 million (1.4%)
10. Unused stamps (current or new issue): $532.9 million (1.4%)

Among these, unused stamps had the fastest-growing Singaporean surplus with Indonesia posting over a 300,000% gain from 2010 to 2014. In second place were cyclic hydrocarbons up 31.7% followed by propylene or olefin polymers ahead by 23.8%.

Below are the products that gave Singapore the highest surpluses in its international trade with Australia.

1. Processed petroleum oils: US$7.4 billion (47.8% of Singapore’s surplus versus Australia)
2. Computers, optical readers: $636.6 million (4.1%)
3. Miscellaneous food preparations: $533.8 million (3.4%)
4. Printing machinery: $430.9 million (2.8%)
5. Machinery parts: $340.9 million (2.2%)
6. Turbo-jets: $270.4 million (1.7%)
7. Automobile parts/accessories: $257.8 million (1.7%)
8. Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays): $235.4 million (1.5%)
9. Phone system devices: $223.4 million (1.4%)
10. Aircraft parts: $220.3 million (1.4%)

Among these, miscellaneous food preparations had the fastest-growing Singaporean surplus with Australia posting a 5,492% gain from 2010 to 2014. In second place were turbo-jets up 198.8% followed by turbo-jets ahead by 35.5%.