By Lu Xinyan

Ningbo's total imports and exports reached a record 1.46 trillion yuan ($203.8 billion) in 2025, up 2.6% year-on-year, marking the city's 10th consecutive year of foreign trade growth, according to data released by Ningbo Customs.

Exports rose 3.7% to 980.75 billion yuan, while imports edged up 0.2% to 475.4 billion yuan. In December alone, total trade grew 4% year-on-year to 133.38 billion yuan.

The number of active import and export companies also climbed to a new high, underscoring the resilience of Ningbo's open economy. The city recorded 31,500 import-export businesses in 2025, an increase of 2,195 from the previous year. Private firms continued to dominate, accounting for 29,000 of the total. Their combined trade volume reached 1.13 trillion yuan, up 4.2%, representing 77.9% of the city's total foreign trade and contributing 2.8 percentage points to overall growth.

Market diversification continued to advance. The European Union and ASEAN remained Ningbo's two largest trading partners. Trade with the EU totaled 251.08 billion yuan, up 5.1% year-on-year, while trade with ASEAN jumped 15.2% to 216.22 billion yuan. Trade with Africa rose 20.4% to 88.2 billion yuan. Meanwhile, trade with Belt and Road partner countries increased 8.8% to 741.25 billion yuan, and trade with Central and Eastern European countries grew 4.8% to 58.85 billion yuan.

Ningbo's export structure showed further upgrading, with stronger momentum in high-end and branded products. Exports of mechanical and electrical goods reached 570.55 billion yuan, up 5.7% year-on-year, accounting for 58.2% of total exports. The export of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products surged 76.3% to 38.51 billion yuan. Electric vehicle exports jumped 295.1%, while industrial robot exports rose 113%. Exports under domestic brands reached 177.77 billion yuan, up 5.5%.

On the import side, recovering production and consumer demand supported growth in a number of commodities. Imports of unwrought copper and copper products increased 18.8% year-on-year, while rubber, glass products and high-tech goods also recorded double-digit growth.

Local companies have also benefited from customs facilitation measures. Shu Zhongwen, a liaison manager at Ningbo Hongyue Plastic & Chemical Co Ltd, said streamlined policies such as direct container pickup alongside vessels have significantly shortened clearance times, enabling faster, more efficient logistics operations.