A Ningbo Customs official provides guidance to a company representative on customs clearance for goods imported from the European Union. [Photo by Fu Yichun/Yongpai App]

Ningbo's trade with the European Union maintained steady growth in the first three quarters of 2026, with imports and exports totaling 210.42 billion yuan ($31.61 billion), up 9.4 percent year-on-year, according to Ningbo Customs. Exports reached 176.82 billion yuan, an increase of 7.6 percent, while imports rose 20.3 percent to 33.6 billion yuan.

Copper alloy ingots have emerged as an important driver of import growth. During the period, Ningbo Rising Guanghua Import and Export imported 37.83 million yuan worth of brass ingots from the EU, up 92.93 percent year-on-year. The materials are supplied to copper processing companies in the Yangtze River Delta for manufacturing brass rods and hardware products.

On the export front, sports equipment performed particularly well. Ningbo exported 1.89 billion yuan worth of sports goods and equipment to the EU in the first three quarters, up 10.37 percent.

Ningbo Lfly Health Technology exported more than 43 million yuan worth of treadmills and other fitness equipment to EU markets, a 130 percent increase. The company attributes its growth to product upgrades, smart features and compliance with EU market standards.

With closer business ties and continued efforts to meet market demand, Ningbo and the EU are deepening their trade partnership, creating new opportunities for businesses on both sides.