Bao'an posts robust foreign trade growth in Q1

Amid a complex global economic environment marked by shifting supply chains and fluctuating demand, Bao’an District has made a strong start in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. Leveraging its strong manufacturing foundation, the district reported significant growth in both the volume and quality of its foreign trade.

According to the latest Customs data, Bao’an’s total import and export value reached 176.36 billion yuan in Q1, representing a year-on-year surge of 38.8%. Exports rose to 118.61 billion yuan, up 30%, while imports skyrocketed by 61.4% to 57.75 billion yuan.

Bao’an’s comprehensive electronic supply chain remains a cornerstone of its economic resilience. Processing trade reached 65.66 billion yuan in Q1, up 58.3%, contributing approximately 19 percentage points to the district’s overall growth. Notably, processing with imported materials saw an explosive 31.7-fold surge.

The global AI boom has also fueled local demand. Imports of integrated circuits reached 18.67 billion yuan, up 38.6%, while parts for automatic data processing equipment surged by 5.5-fold. Exports of mechanical and electrical products totaled 76.85 billion yuan, with integrated circuit exports specifically surging 110%, showcasing Bao’an’s position as a critical hub in the global AI advanced manufacturing network.

Private enterprises continue to be the most dynamic force in Bao’an’s foreign trade, accounting for 73.8% of the total trade value. In Q1, trade from private firms reached 130.16 billion yuan, a 56.5% increase.

The district's “New Three” green energy products, namely lithium batteries, photovoltaics, and electric vehicles, exported a combined 6.01 billion yuan.

In consumer electronics, Insta360 continues to dominate the global panoramic camera market, with revenues approaching 10 billion yuan in 2025. Shokz, utilizing proprietary bone conduction technology, maintained its position as the world leader in open-ear headphone shipments. They represented a successful transition from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) to original brand manufacturing (OBM).

While maintaining a steady presence in traditional markets, with trade to the EU growing by 29.9% in Q1, Bao’an has made significant inroads into emerging economies.

Trade with ASEAN, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and Africa grew by 33%, 27.9%, 39%, and 74.8%, respectively. This has effectively helped mitigate the risks associated with market fluctuations in any single region. Furthermore, trade with other APEC economies surged 42.9% to reach 126.88 billion yuan, becoming a powerful new engine for regional growth.