By Zhao Yu

Ningbo's total import and export trade volume hit a record 257.3 billion yuan in the first two months of 2026, up 9.9% year-on-year, according to data released by Ningbo Customs on March 13. Exports rose 11.2% to 177.4 billion yuan, while imports increased 7.3% to 79.9 billion yuan.

General trade continued to lead the city's foreign trade expansion. From January to February, general trade imports and exports totaled 123.25 billion yuan, an 11.9% year-on-year increase, accounting for 89.9% of Ningbo's total foreign trade volume. Processing trade reached 14.69 billion yuan, up 3.7% year-on-year.

Private enterprises remained the main driver of Ningbo's foreign trade growth. From January to February, their total imports and exports reached 198.4 billion yuan, up 10.3% year-on-year, contributing 7.9 percentage points to the city's overall import and export growth. Their share of Ningbo's total foreign trade rose to 77.1%, up 0.2 percentage points. Exports by private firms totaled 148.09 billion yuan, a 14% increase from a year earlier.

Ningbo Zlink Technology Co., Ltd. exemplifies this trend. Covering markets in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, the company reported a 710% year-on-year surge in exports this January, driven by ultrasonic water meters, smart metering equipment, and IoT terminal products. "The key to establishing a solid overseas presence is incorporating advanced technology into practical solutions," said General Manager Zhang Dan.

Ningbo's global trading network continues to expand over the first two months of 2026. Trade with the EU, which remains the city's largest trading partner, reached 46.92 billion yuan, up 12.4%. Trade with ASEAN countries totaled 34.01 billion yuan, a 10.1% increase. Trade with Africa surged 26.5% to 16.01 billion yuan, while trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 127.35 billion yuan, up 9.3%, accounting for 49.5% of the city's total foreign trade. Trade with Central and Eastern European countries totaled 10.62 billion yuan, up 4.1%.

New quality productive forces are reshaping Ningbo's export profile. Electromechanical products accounted for 105.22 billion yuan, or 59.3% of total exports in January and February, up 14.2% year-on-year. Exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products soared 154.4% to 9.66 billion yuan. Specifically, electric vehicle exports jumped 312.6% to 6.82 billion yuan; lithium-ion battery exports rose 36.4% to 1.89 billion yuan; and photovoltaic product exports increased 24.9% to 950 million yuan.