Ningbo Customs officials visit a high-tech manufacturing enterprise. [Photo by Yao Juping/Yongpai App]

Ningbo's foreign trade has posted strong growth for the start of the year, with the city's total trade volume reaching 257.3 billion yuan ($37.28 billion) in January and February, up 9.9 percent year-on-year.

Exports totaled 177.4 billion yuan, rising 11.2 percent, while imports reached 79.9 billion yuan, up 7.3 percent. Ningbo's foreign trade maintained positive growth in 2025 despite global pressures, and this year's strong start once again demonstrates the resilience of the city's trade sector.

General trade remained the backbone of Ningbo's foreign trade, totaling 231.25 billion yuan in the first two months, up 11.9 percent and accounting for nearly 90 percent of the city's total trade volume.

Private enterprises continued to play a major role in driving growth, with their total imports and exports reaching 198.4 billion yuan, increasing 10.3 percent and accounting for 77.1 percent of the city's foreign trade.

Ningbo's trading partners have become increasingly diversified, as trade with the European Union rose 12.4 percent to 46.92 billion yuan, maintaining its position as the city's largest trading partner. Trade with ASEAN also grew 10.1 percent.

High-tech products further boosted exports, with shipments of electromechanical products totaling 105.22 billion yuan, up 14.2 percent. Exports of "new trio" products — electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products — surged 154.4 percent, highlighting the growing role of advanced manufacturing in Ningbo's global trade.