The 137th China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, has just wrapped up its spring session with remarkable success. The event, held in Guangzhou from April 15 to May 5, 2025, brought together businesses from around the world and set new records for attendance.

Record-Breaking Attendance

Nearly 289,000 foreign buyers from 219 countries attended the fair this year. This marks a significant 17.3% increase compared to the 135th Canton Fair. Both new and returning customers showed strong interest, with first-time visitors numbering over 171,000 and returning buyers exceeding 117,000.

"The numbers show a clear rebound in global trade interest," said Zhou Shanqing, Deputy Director of the China Foreign Trade Center. "We're especially pleased to see growth from both traditional markets and emerging economies."

Strong Performance from Belt and Road Countries

Countries participating in China's Belt and Road Initiative made up the largest group of visitors. More than 187,000 buyers came from these nations, accounting for nearly 65% of all attendees. This represents a 17.4% increase from previous fairs.

BRICS nations also showed strong participation with over 72,000 buyers, up 24.1% from previous events.

Business Deals on the Rise

The fair generated an estimated $25.44 billion in export deals, growing 3% compared to previous sessions. Products featuring innovation, quality craftsmanship, and environmentally friendly designs attracted the most interest from buyers.

More than 4.55 million products were showcased at the event, including:

• 1.02 million new products
• 880,000 environmentally friendly and low-carbon products
• 320,000 smart products

Technology Takes Center Stage

For the first time, the fair featured a dedicated zone for service robots. This new addition proved extremely popular, with 46 leading Chinese robotics companies showcasing more than 500 different robot models across 60 categories. The robot zone attracted an average of 300 visitors daily.

The fair's Design Innovation Award showroom displayed 147 award-winning products and drew over 40,000 visitors interested in cutting-edge design.

Import Opportunities Expand

The import exhibition section welcomed 736 businesses from 50 countries, with 67% coming from Belt and Road nations. Many international companies showcased advanced manufacturing technologies and high-quality household goods, creating new opportunities for these products to enter the Chinese market.

Digital Platform Enhances Experience

The fair's online platform continued to grow in importance, with more than 527,000 foreign buyers from 229 countries participating digitally. The Canton Fair app was upgraded with new features to help buyers plan their routes and connect with suppliers. The app was downloaded more than 320,000 times.

Trade Promotion Activities

The fair hosted over 1,200 trade promotion events, including:

• 438 new product launches, attracting more than 6,000 in-person attendees and 1.5 million online viewers
• 734 "Trade Bridge" events connecting over 4,000 business organizations, buyers, and suppliers
• 19 industry forums discussing key international trade issues

With its focus on innovation, sustainability, and global cooperation, the Canton Fair continues to serve as a vital platform for international trade. As businesses from both traditional and emerging markets increase their participation, the fair reflects growing confidence in global economic recovery.

The next Canton Fair is scheduled for autumn 2025, with organizers hoping to build on this spring's success.