Shenzhen’s Foreign Trade Grows 3.8% Year-on-Year in April, Import Value Surges Nearly 16%
Shenzhen Customs announced on May 25 that the city’s total import and export value reached RMB 404.61 billion in April 2025, marking a 3.8% year-on-year increase. This is the first time since September 2024 that Shenzhen’s monthly foreign trade value has once again exceeded the RMB 400 billion threshold, signaling a steady and resilient growth trend in the region’s external trade.
Of the total, exports accounted for RMB 243.95 billion, while imports came in at RMB 160.66 billion—representing a significant 15.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The robust import performance highlights strong domestic demand for raw materials, intermediate goods, and advanced technology products, further reinforcing Shenzhen’s role as a vital hub in global supply chains.
The positive growth in April reflects the continued stabilization and resilience of Shenzhen’s foreign trade sector amid global uncertainties. As one of China’s major export-oriented cities and a key engine of the Greater Bay Area economy, Shenzhen has demonstrated a strong capacity to adapt to shifting international market dynamics and supply chain realignments.
Officials noted that the city’s foreign trade has benefited from targeted policy support, including enhanced logistics efficiency, customs clearance facilitation, and initiatives to support cross-border e-commerce and high-tech exports. Additionally, strategic trade ties with ASEAN, the European Union, and Belt and Road countries have provided a diversified market foundation, helping Shenzhen mitigate risks and maintain momentum.
With strong import growth and stable exports, Shenzhen is expected to continue its role as a bellwether for China’s open economy. Analysts believe that further gains may come from sectors such as semiconductors, green energy technologies, and smart manufacturing—areas where Shenzhen holds both industrial depth and innovation leadership.
As 2025 progresses, Shenzhen’s trade performance will remain a key indicator of the broader economic recovery and transformation taking place in China’s coastal cities.
