Merchants celebrate the opening day at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, on Feb 28. [Photo/Tide News]
Yiwu in Zhejiang province recorded 173.56 billion yuan ($25.15 billion) in total foreign trade in the first two months of 2026, up 52.8 percent year-on-year, according to Yiwu Customs.
Exports reached 154.72 billion yuan, increasing 52.9 percent year-on-year, while imports rose 52.6 percent to 18.84 billion yuan. The data indicate a strong start to the year for one of China's key small commodities trading hubs.
Consumer goods accounted for a major share of imports. From January to February, Yiwu imported 10.51 billion yuan of consumer goods, up 54.2 percent year-on-year and representing 55.8 percent of total imports. Among them, imports of edible aquatic products reached 1.53 billion yuan, up 68.6 percent, while meat imports rose 203.2 percent to 340 million yuan. Imports of wine and beverages totaled 220 million yuan, increasing 172.7 percent.
Yiwu's trading network continued to expand. The city conducted trade with 222 countries and regions during the period, nine more than a year earlier.
Africa remained Yiwu's largest trading partner. Trade with Africa reached 35.41 billion yuan, up 84.7 percent year-on-year and accounting for 20.4 percent of the total. Trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations rose 99.0 percent to 24.74 billion yuan. Trade with Latin America and the European Union increased 34.0 percent and 64.6 percent, respectively.
Trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative totaled 124.43 billion yuan, up 59.5 percent year-on-year, accounting for 71.7 percent of Yiwu's total foreign trade.
