Hezhou’s foreign trade surges 85% in first half of 2026

(ECNS) -- Hezhou’s total import and export volume reached $221.1 million in the first half of 2026, up 85% year on year and ranking among the fastest growth rates in Guangxi, as the city’s export-oriented economy continued to gain momentum.

Trade with Belt and Road partner countries reached 960 million yuan, up 73.6%, while trade with other RCEP members and ASEAN countries rose by 19.8% and 19.4%, respectively. Exports to the United States, Vietnam and 17 Middle Eastern countries increased by 104.6%, 69.3% and 271.4%, respectively.

Mechanical and electrical products led export growth, reaching 630 million yuan, a surge of 150.3%. Agricultural exports rose by 23.5% to 73.497 million yuan. This included 1,237 metric tons of vegetables supplied to Hong Kong and Macao, worth 4.669 million yuan, up 52.3% in volume and 63.7% in value.

Hezhou’s general trade reached 1.52 billion yuan, accounting for 96.2% of the city’s total foreign trade and rising by 78.6%. Processing trade surged 32-fold to 58.325 million yuan. Private enterprises contributed 96.2% of Hezhou’s total foreign trade, with their trade volume growing by 92.8% year on year, making them the main driver of the city’s foreign trade expansion.

(By Helen Mo, inter Xu Wenda)