Meeting global demand for cool products

Ningbo Changer Electron Co Ltd, an export-oriented manufacturer of freezers and refrigerators in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, posted exports worth 600 million yuan between January and May, up 6.6 percent year-on-year.

According to Cen Yanqing, manager of the company's foreign trade unit, market research revealed that summers in Central Asian countries are particularly hot this year, with widespread temperatures exceeding 40 C in certain countries.

"Based on this finding, we believed our products would perform well in those markets — and they did," Cen said. "Thanks to their durable quality and competitive pricing, we successfully gained a foothold in Central Asia, which had not previously been a key market for the company."

In addition to Central Asia, the company is also actively expanding into the European markets. It signed trial bulk orders with partners in countries such as Greece and France in June, further broadening its international footprint.

The company's exports to Central Asia exceeded 20 million yuan in the January-May period, representing a 15 percent year-on-year increase. In the meantime, its exports to the European Union surpassed 3 million yuan, doubling from the same period last year, statistics from Ningbo Customs showed.

Beyond cooling appliances, the summer heat in the Northern Hemisphere has fueled growing demand for seasonal beverages — particularly electrolyte drinks — as consumers seek effective ways to stay hydrated and energized. This trend is also fueling a surge in exports for Chinese beverage makers.

Eastroc Beverage (Group) Co Ltd, a beverage manufacturer in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, shipped 5.4 metric tons of electrolyte beverages to Malaysia in early July.

In recent years, with rising public health awareness and a growing trend toward sports and fitness consumption, Eastroc Beverage has launched a range of electrolyte drinks in response to market demand. These beverages contain high levels of potassium, sodium and fluoride ions, helping replenish fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating while maintaining the body's fluid balance.

"We have seen explosive growth in demand for electrolyte drinks both at home and abroad since the beginning of this year," said Wu Dubin, the company's foreign trade manager.

"As summer arrives, more consumers are turning to electrolyte beverages after exercise, and overseas orders have been pouring in," said Wu. "From January to May, we exported 474.2 tons of electrolyte drinks, a year-on-year increase of 1,660 percent."

Experts said China's ability to meet rising global demand for "summer economy" products — from cooling appliances to functional beverages — reflects its longstanding advantages in technological innovation, supply chain integration and market responsiveness.

"Chinese manufacturers are not only producing at scale, but also offering increasingly customized solutions tailored to different climate zones and consumer needs," said Chen Bin, deputy director of the expert committee at the Beijing-based China Machinery Industry Federation.

Whether it is a portable air conditioner for hot and humid regions or water sports products adapted for active lifestyles, China is leveraging its research and development capacity and manufacturing flexibility to deliver value to markets around the world, said Chen.

Echoing that view, Peng Bo, a researcher specializing in international economic cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said that the growing momentum in seasonal product exports highlights the importance of maintaining open trade channels and resilient global supply chains.

"Free trade facilitates timely access to goods people need most, especially in times of climate stress. China's role in this ecosystem proves that inclusive and rules-based trade remains a powerful driver of global economic stability and consumers' well-being," said Peng.