At the production facility of Ningbo Corelead Optoelectronics Technology Co.,Ltd., a new line of shatterproof LED mirrors is rolling off the assembly line. "This is specifically engineered for cross-border e-commerce platforms." "While the R&D investment was higher initially, it's reducing packaging costs, cutting shipping expenses, minimizing after-sales issues, and earning rave reviews," explained Wu Dongbing, the company's business manager, during a busy-day interview with our reporter yesterday.
"Innovative approaches drive substantial growth." Geli Optoelectronics recorded 71 million yuan in export value during the first half of this year, marking a 22.4% year-on-year increase. This success story epitomizes how Ningbo's foreign trade sector is overcoming challenges through remarkable resilience to achieve growth.
Ningbo Customs yesterday released the city's foreign trade performance report for the first half of the year. Statistics show that Ningbo's total import-export volume reached 721.8 billion yuan in the first half of this year, marking a 6.1% year-on-year growth. Of this total, exports amounted to 490.44 billion yuan (up 10.1% year-on-year), while imports stood at 231.36 billion yuan.
"Ningbo's foreign trade maintained overall stability in its fundamental aspects during the first half of this year." A Ningbo Customs official stated: "As the primary driver of import-export activities, private enterprises have spearheaded growth and facilitated the transformation and upgrading of Ningbo's foreign trade sector."
Data reveals that in H1, Ningbo's private enterprises achieved 559.24 billion yuan in import-export volume, an 8.8% year-on-year increase. This contributed 6.7 percentage points to the city's total trade growth, with their share in Ningbo's overall foreign trade rising by 2 percentage points year-on-year to reach 77.5%. Specifically, exports reached 403.62 billion yuan, marking an 11.3% year-on-year increase, while imports totaled 155.62 billion yuan, up 2.9% year-on-year.
Amid steady growth, Ningbo's foreign trade network demonstrates remarkable diversification. Statistics show that in the first half of this year, the European Union (EU) emerged as Ningbo's top trading partner, with bilateral trade volume hitting 127.85 billion yuan, reflecting a 12.1% year-on-year growth.
Under the scorching summer sun, workers at Ningbo Morita Pet Products Co., Ltd. efficiently packaged cat trees along the bustling production line. Zhang Guanping, the company's director, gestured toward the active production line, noting that these eco-friendly bamboo fiber composite products had recently secured fresh European orders.
"Responding to shifting global trade dynamics, we proactively adapted our strategy by targeting Europe's environmentally conscious market that favors small-batch, frequent transactions. Our production schedule is now fully booked through year-end," Zhang Guanping explained.
Emerging markets, including Belt and Road partner countries, are emerging as key drivers of foreign trade growth.
In the first half of this year, Ningbo's total import-export volume with Belt and Road partner countries reached 364.57 billion yuan, marking a 13.4% year-on-year increase. This accounted for 50.5% of the city's total foreign trade volume, representing a 3.3 percentage point growth compared to the same period last year. Specifically, trade with ASEAN nations amounted to 104.28 billion yuan, reflecting a robust 20.8% year-on-year growth.
Additionally, during the first half of the year, Ningbo's trade volume with Africa stood at 43.03 billion yuan (up 25.2% year-on-year), while exchanges with Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) totaled 30.67 billion yuan, showing a 13.7% annual increase.
From a product perspective, traditional competitive goods are unlocking new growth potential through technological innovation, with mechanical and electrical (M&E) products maintaining their leading position in exports.
In the first half of this year, Ningbo exported M&E products worth 285.99 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 12.6%, which accounted for 58.3% of the city's total exports during the same period. Specifically, exports of electronic components rose by 23.3% year-on-year, while automobile exports saw a 32.3% year-on-year increase.
On July 17, over 1,400 new energy vehicles were neatly parked in the vehicle storage yard of the Messi Ro-Ro Terminal at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, with car carriers loaded with additional new energy vehicles periodically arriving for unloading. These vehicles will be shipped via roll-on/roll-off vessels to countries and regions including Singapore and Spain in the coming days.
On the import front, Ningbo has experienced structural divergence in import volumes. While imports of certain raw materials and high-tech products have shown steady growth, bulk commodities such as iron ore, coal, and lignite have weighed down overall imports due to declining prices.
In the first half of this year, Ningbo imported copper materials worth 21.41 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.3%, while imports of basic organic chemicals reached 20.24 billion yuan, up 19.2% year-on-year. As summer temperatures soared, Ningbo's imports of alcoholic beverages and drinks surged to 2.06 billion yuan, reflecting a remarkable 64.4% year-on-year growth.
A Ningbo Customs official stated that overcoming challenges primarily hinges on bolstering confidence. Ningbo will persist in implementing foreign trade stabilization policies, assisting enterprises in exploring new markets, developing innovative business models, creating competitive products, and collectively addressing economic pressures.
July 19, 2025 – Front Page, Ningbo Daily (By Ye Hanyan, Ye Wenqian & Gu Yongrong)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Ningbo Daily. The Ningbo Daily version shall prevail.
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