Ningbo's foreign trade hits record high in September

Chuanshan Port Area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo by Wu Mengkai/Yongpai App]

Ningbo's foreign trade reached 1.19 trillion yuan ($178 billion) in the first three quarters of 2026, up 8.8 percent year-on-year, according to data released by Ningbo Customs on Oct 21. Exports rose 11.3 percent to 822.29 billion yuan, while imports increased 3.6 percent to 365.9 billion yuan.

In September, monthly imports and exports hit a record 150.86 billion yuan, surpassing 150 billion yuan for the first time, up 22.5 percent year-on-year.

The European Union, ASEAN and the United States remained Ningbo's top three trading partners, with trade growing 9.4 percent, 13.1 percent, and 4.4 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, trade with Africa and Latin America climbed 19.8 percent and 11.1 percent, highlighting the city's expanding presence in emerging markets.

Private enterprises continued to drive growth, accounting for 78.6 percent of Ningbo's total foreign trade. Their combined imports and exports reached 934.03 billion yuan, up 10.3 percent.

High-tech and green products also posted strong gains. Exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products surged 119.4 percent overall to 56.85 billion yuan, while exports of domestically owned brands grew 32.7 percent, accounting for 21.3 percent of total exports.