Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that Laos' total foreign trade volume is projected to exceed US$19.2 billion in 2025. While a small trade deficit will occur after excluding electricity exports, overall growth will be steady. Over the past five years, Laos has exceeded its foreign trade targets, gradually diversifying its export structure away from reliance on traditional commodities.
Data from the Lao Department of Foreign Trade shows that total foreign trade volume reached US$19.215 billion in 2025, a 4.9% increase compared to 2024 (including electricity exports). In 2024, total foreign trade volume was US$18.315 billion, with electricity exports accounting for approximately US$2.6 billion. In 2025, exports are projected at US$9.5 billion, while imports exceed US$9.6 billion, resulting in a trade deficit exceeding US$88 million after excluding electricity exports.
Electricity exports are a crucial pillar of Laos' foreign trade balance, contributing over US$2 billion in revenue annually, effectively alleviating trade imbalance pressures and contributing to the stability of the overall foreign trade situation.
Regarding trading partners, excluding electricity sales, China remains Laos' largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly US$6.6 billion in 2025. The trade relationship is relatively balanced (exports to China US$3.3223412 billion, imports US$3.2776 billion). Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States follow in order, forming a diversified foreign trade cooperation pattern.
Laos' export diversification has yielded significant results. In 2025, electrical appliances and equipment exports exceeded US$1.6 billion, ranking first, followed by gold alloys and gold bars ($1.2 billion) and potash ($904 million), gradually reducing dependence on traditional commodities and continuously improving the quality of foreign trade development.
On the import side, fuel remains the largest import commodity (over US$1 billion), highlighting dependence on imported gasoline. Automobiles (excluding motorcycles and tractors) and precious materials rank second and third with US$938 million and US$819 million respectively, reflecting strong domestic demand for related materials.
Lao Prime Minister Somsay Siphandone stated at the National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party that Laos' total foreign trade reached US$84.4 billion from 2021 to 2025, achieving 119% of the planned target of US$70.9 billion, exceeding the development target.
The congress report showed that during this period, Laos' exports reached US$46.4 billion (122% of the target, with an average annual growth of 15.19%), and imports reached US$37.9 billion (115% of the target, with an average annual growth of 13.45%), resulting in a cumulative trade surplus of US$8.4 billion, providing strong support for economic and social development.
