Yiwu sees surge in global orders as China's trade engine remains responsive

Yiwu International Trade City, the world's largest small commodities market in east China's Zhejiang Province, has seen a surge in orders from global trader this year, underscoring how China's trade engine remains agile, responsive, and deeply connected to buyers around the world.

According to the latest data from local customs, Yiwu's exports grew 52.9 percent during the first two months of 2026, while imports jumped 52.6 percent, signaling a robust two-way momentum.

"Yiwu is amazing for business. I (first) came here maybe 18 years ago. It's good for business," said a buyer from Colombia.

"We're from Siberia, Russia. This is already our fourth time here. We really like it here. We have very good partners and excellent, high-quality products here," said a buyer.

On opening day after the Spring Festival holiday, the market received about 300,000 visits, up 23 percent year on year. Beyond sheer volume, the activity in Yiwu demonstrates speed, flexibility, and an acute awareness of current global buyer preferences.

"We've seen a really good trend in trade since the Chinese New Year. There has been a lot of orders coming from South America and South Africa," said Lu Qingrong, a toy exporter.

"Since the beginning of this year, we've had steady demand from Africa and the Philippines. The swimming equipment is tailored to different countries, so market feedback has been pretty good," said Lou Chaohua, a swimming gear exporter.

Demand is rising from Latin America, Russia, and ASEAN countries, which are each becoming key growth markets for Yiwu.

Meanwhile, consumer demand in Europe and the United States is shifting from the high-end segment to the mid-range market, where value for money matters more than ever -- a trend that puts Chinese-made goods in a stronger position.

"After the Spring Festival, we saw a surge in overseas orders, with production booked through May. Since we make sportswear, our main markets are the U.S. and Europe. Our clothes sell very well on overseas e-commerce platforms," said Chen Liwei, owner of a yoga sportswear factory.

For traders in Yiwu, the order rush is a clear sign that even in a changing global economy, there remains strong demand for affordable, fast-moving, made-in-China products.

Yiwu sees surge in global orders as China's trade engine remains responsive

Green and smart home supplies are in the spotlight at the second phase of the 139th China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, which opened on Thursday in Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong in south China.

For the first time, this phase of the Canton Fair has set up a fashion accessories zone, displaying everything from dazzling jewelry crafted with modern techniques to intangible cultural heritage skills passed down through generations.

One company is displaying its copper products which blend traditional culture with the Chinese trendy elements.

"All our products are made of pure copper, using techniques of ancient bronze wares. For overseas markets, our primary goal is to promote China's traditional culture to the world," said the exhibitor.

The bamboo and wooden home goods zone is another new section, where many companies are presenting new competitive advantages of green technologies and eco-friendly materials.

At the event, exhibitors have brought a range of novel products, like AI-powered swimming pools and chemical dosing systems, as well as smart grilling devices, drawing many buyers.

"This underwater treadmill features AI-powered water quality monitoring, capable of tracking water quality and equipment usage for buyers worldwide," said an exhibitor.

"Most of our visitors are from Europe, plus some inquiries from guests of the Middle East, also guests from Poland and Africa. It feels like a promising start," said another exhibitor.

The second phase, centered on quality home living, spans an area of 515,000 square meters with 25,000 booths.

It highlights three major sections, household goods and accessories, home decor, and building materials and furniture, along with four newly established special zones for fashion accessories, bamboo and wooden tableware, and other categories.

During the second phase, about 200 leading procurement companies including Tesco from Britain and Carrefour from France, have organized buyer delegations to attend, and over 70 overseas chambers of commerce have organized group visits.

Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running comprehensive international trade event in China and has been hailed as a barometer of China's foreign trade.

Canton Fair spotlights smart, green home supplies