Henan’s Jan–Jul imports and exports hit record high, up 22.3%

Henan Daily

Zhengzhou: Henan’s foreign trade continued its resilient growth in the first seven months of 2025, reaching a historic high for the same period.

According to Zhengzhou Customs, the province’s total imports and exports reached RMB 483.38 billion from January to July, a 22.3% year-on-year increase, outpacing the national growth rate by 18.8 percentage points. Exports totaled RMB 324.31 billion, growing by 32.8%, while imports amounted to RMB 159.07 billion, up5.4%.

In terms of trade categories, Henan’s exports of key products, including agricultural goods and silver, continued to grow rapidly. Agricultural exports reached RMB 9.84 billion, up 28.9%, while silver exports totaled RMB 7.78 billion, an increase of 20.7%.

On the import side, imports of major raw materials and agricultural products saw significant growth. From January to July, Henan imported RMB 87.71 billion worth of mechanical and electrical products, up 10.2%. Agricultural imports totaled RMB 9.53 billion, growing by 28.4%, while imports of unwrought copper and copper materials surged to RMB 5.76 billion, an 81% increase.

The vitality of foreign trade entities in Henan continued to strengthen. Private enterprises remained the main engine, while foreign-invested enterprises saw the fastest expansion. In the first seven months, the number of foreign trade entities with export and import records reached 12,200, an increase of 1,200 from the same period last year. Private enterprises accounted for RMB 356.06 billion, up 17.7%, making up 73.7% of the province’s total foreign trade. Foreign-invested enterprises reported RMB 96.36 billion in imports and exports, a strong year-on-year increase of 64.4%.

Henan’s export markets have become more diversified, with notable growth in trade with the EU, South Korea, and other regions. From January to July, trade with the EU reached RMB 65.76 billion, up 28.7%; trade with ASEAN totaled RMB 64.8 billion, up 8.4%; and trade with South Korea amounted to RMB 31.86 billion, up 16.6%. Trade with Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa stood at RMB 54.77 billion, RMB 31.6 billion, and RMB 20.26 billion showing year-on-year increases of 15.6%, 26%, and 24.2% respectively.

During the same period, Henan’s trade with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries reached RMB 236.44 billion, up 16.1%. Trade with other RCEP member countries totaled RMB 144.54 billion, marking a 26% year-on-year increase.