Yiwu City, known as the 'global small commodities market,' located in Zhejiang Province in eastern China, achieved a total import and export volume of 486.42 billion yuan (equivalent to approximately 71.64 billion US dollars) in the first half of 2026. This figure demonstrated a 19.9% growth compared to the same period last year, according to customs statistics.
Trade Dynamics in the First Half
The city's exports reached a record high of 420.72 billion yuan during the January to June period, showing an increase of 17.3%. Meanwhile, imports significantly increased by 39.1%, totaling 65.7 billion yuan.
Impact of Global Events and New Models
Local sellers were able to leverage global sporting events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which contributed to the steady growth of sports goods exports. In the first half of 2026, Yiwu exported 6.22 billion yuan worth of sporting goods, of which 1.25 billion yuan was directed to Latin America, representing a year-on-year growth of 20.4%.
Yiwu Customs implemented a new model that allows for parallel inspection and loading of containers at controlled warehouses. This reform not only eliminated major bottlenecks but also increased export efficiency by 30%.
Expansion of Trade Ties
Despite the consolidation of traditional markets, Yiwu's foreign trade network continues to expand. In the first half of the year, the city engaged in trade with 230 countries and regions, which is four more than in the same period last year.
Import Structure
In terms of imports, Yiwu is increasing its purchases from around the world. Consumer goods imports in the first half of 2026 reached 31 billion yuan, which is 19.5% higher than the previous year. Among these, the import of aquatic products amounted to 5.02 billion yuan, showing a growth of 58.3%. Additionally, the import of mechanical and electrical articles increased by 65.1%, reaching 4.12 billion yuan.
