During an interview at the 136th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, Cao Jianfeng, the sales manager of Zhejiang Huarong Battery Co., Ltd., shared his insights on the event. “As soon as we opened in the morning, the flow of visitors was quite dense. Our team has been busy managing promotions and attending to clients, and it’s been really energizing!” he said, as he navigated the bustling exhibition hall around 3 PM.
Taking place from October 15 to November 4, the fair has attracted over 30,000 offline exhibitors across three phases. In Xuhang’s Nanhu District, 61 companies are participating, with 26 of them showcasing their products in the first phase that kicked off on the 15th.
In just half a day, Cao has exchanged business cards with more than 30 potential clients. “Today, our main goal is to promote our products and establish connections with potential customers. We’ll follow up for more in-depth discussions after the initial exchanges.” He expressed optimism, noting that he sees potential in over half of the business contacts he met.
Among the many exhibitors focused on advanced manufacturing, companies like Zhejiang Yate Electric Co., Zhejiang Huarong Battery, and Ailist Health Technology showcased their flagship products across 49 booths, including 12 brand booths and 37 general booths, featuring a broad range of categories such as new energy, automotive parts, and electronic consumer goods.
“Our highlight this time is the high-energy alkaline battery that meets the latest EU environmental standards, primarily aimed at supermarkets,” Cao explained. Huarong Battery specializes in the research and production of dry batteries and battery components, predominantly targeting overseas markets. Currently, over 80% of the company’s total output value comes from exports, and they have participated in the Canton Fair for ten consecutive years.
Cao also noted that in 2024, the company team has already participated in exhibitions in nearly ten countries and regions, including Germany, Poland, Brazil, and Indonesia. “This has helped us maintain relationships with old clients while also attracting new ones. Overall, our sales outlook is positive, and we anticipate reaching around 500 million RMB in annual sales.”
For businesses, seizing the opportunities at the Canton Fair is crucial—not just to display their products and services but also to deepen their understanding of market demands and integrate into the global marketplace.
On the call, we also spoke with Fu Zhenxian, the sales manager at Jiaxing Shuntian Machinery Co., Ltd., who mentioned that he was currently assisting a client from Egypt. “After examining our samples, the client enthusiastically placed an order right on the spot for approximately $30,000 worth of products,” he recounted.
“Of course, we are happy to close deals on-site, but our primary goal in attending the fair is to make new friends and attract more customers to expand our market reach,” Fu explained. Shuntian Machinery has a long-standing history at the fair, with two booths totaling 27 square meters, showcasing nearly 100 products.
“Our main focus is on automotive jacks, and all our products are primarily for export. We’re looking to tap into any market that has vehicles,” Fu added. In 2024, the company plans to maintain existing customer relationships to stabilize their orders. Besides participating in major domestic fairs, they also attended the Cologne Fair in Germany and are expanding their online sales channels to seek new orders.
An official from the Nanhu District Economic and Information Bureau indicated that nine furniture and home decor companies and 32 businesses focusing on bags, clothing, and textile fabrics are set to continue participating in the second and third phases of the Canton Fair, which emphasize “Quality Home” and “Better Life.”
Currently, foreign trade has become a bright spot for Nanhu’s economy, showcasing its resilience with stable growth. According to statistics, from January to August 2024, Nanhu District achieved foreign trade imports and exports of 33.879 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 25.2%, ranking second in Jiaxing City. Among that, exports totaled 28.01 billion yuan, with a remarkable year-on-year growth of 20.2%, placing first in Jiaxing.
