Record Overseas Attendance as 139th Canton Fair Concludes

The 139th China Import and Export Fair Concludes Successfully in Guangzhou, with Overseas Buyer Attendance Hitting a New High

Guangzhou, May 5, 2026 – The 139th China Import and Export Fair (hereinafter referred to as the "Canton Fair") concluded successfully today at the Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center in Guangzhou. As a pivotal foreign trade event in the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, this edition of the Canton Fair, guided by the principles of "Newness, Greenness, and Intelligence," showcased the resilience and vitality of Chinese manufacturing to the global community, with the number of attending overseas buyers reaching an unprecedented historical peak.

A Confluence of Global Merchants: Scale Ascends to New Heights

According to the latest statistics from the China Foreign Trade Center, as of May 4 (the day prior to the closing), the fair had cumulatively attracted 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions, representing a 1.1% increase compared to the previous session. Notably, 407 leading multinational procurement enterprises and 154 overseas industrial and commercial institutions participated in group delegations. This "voting with feet" by global merchants underscores their unwavering confidence in China’s supply chain system.

The total exhibition area of the fair reached 1.55 million square meters, with 75,700 booths and over 32,000 participating enterprises—among which approximately 3,900 were first-time exhibitors. High-quality enterprises holding titles such as "Specialized, Sophisticated, Unique, and New" (zhuanjingtexin) and "Single-Product Champion" exceeded 11,000, reflecting the continuous optimization of the exhibition’s participant structure.

Phase II Focuses on "Quality Home Goods": Green Innovation as the Central Theme

During the recently concluded Phase II (April 23–27), the Canton Fair centered on the theme of "Quality Home Goods," featuring three core sectors: household items, gifts and decorations, and building materials and furniture. Phase II spanned 515,000 square meters of exhibition space, with 25,000 booths and over 10,000 participating enterprises.

Purchasing enthusiasm remained robust: By the end of Phase II (April 27), the number of attending overseas buyers reached 245,000, a year-on-year increase of 2.2%. Global retail giants such as Target (U.S.), Metro (Germany), and Tesco (U.K.) dispatched large-scale procurement teams, fostering a dynamic atmosphere of on-site negotiations and a steady growth in the value of intended orders.

Technology Empowerment: Forging a "Never-Ending" Trade Bridge

This edition of the Canton Fair was not merely a showcase of commodities but also a platform for technological demonstration. The number of product zones expanded to 179, with nine new frontier zones established for areas including smart wearables, consumer drones, and display technologies. Over 600 new product launch events were held during the fair, with the number of new products increasing by 27% year-on-year.

To enhance trade efficiency, the Canton Fair continued to upgrade its digital services. Through the "Trade Bridge" supply-demand matching activities and online platforms, it achieved integrated online-offline interaction, ensuring uninterrupted trade flows even after the fair’s physical conclusion. Data from the Baiyun Airport port indicates that over 1.14 million people entered or exited the country during the fair period, including more than 540,000 foreign merchants—representing a 20.8% year-on-year increase and setting a new historical record. This confirms Guangzhou’s pivotal role as an international trade hub.

While the 139th Canton Fair has drawn to a successful close, China’s door to opening-up continues to widen. It is reported that the 140th Canton Fair is scheduled to be held in Guangzhou this autumn, poised to further inject Chinese confidence and momentum into global trade.