Gansu Province achieved a strong start in foreign trade during the first two months of the "16th Five-Year Plan" period, posting encouraging results. According to data released by Lanzhou Customs on March 16, the total import and export value of Gansu reached 14.53 billion yuan during January–February, a year-on-year increase of 16.6%. Exports amounted to 3.64 billion yuan, surging by 111.3%, while imports stood at 10.89 billion yuan, rising by 1.4%.
Against a complex global economic backdrop, this performance reflects notable resilience and vitality in Gansu’s trade sector. The growth in both exports and imports, coupled with a higher import volume than export volume, signals expanding production and consumer demand in the province. This momentum is underpinned by Gansu’s accelerated efforts to modernize its industrial structure and upgrade key sectors.
In recent years, Gansu has advanced the transformation of traditional industries such as petrochemicals, nonferrous metallurgy, and equipment manufacturing toward higher value-added production. At the same time, strategic emerging industries—including new energy, new materials, biopharmaceuticals, and the digital economy—have gained speed, demonstrating strong potential.
A closer look at exports reveals robust performance in mechanical and electrical products as well as agricultural goods. In the first two months, exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 1.03 billion yuan, up 46%, accounting for 28.3% of the province’s total exports. Key items included integrated circuits (200 million yuan, up 8.5%), drilling rigs (79.8 million yuan, with no exports in the same period last year), and electric vehicles (47.7 million yuan, up 497.6%). Agricultural exports totaled 690 million yuan, growing 17.3%, with seeds (180 million yuan, up 20.8%) and fresh apples (130 million yuan, up 13.9%) leading the way.
These figures illustrate Gansu’s progress in expanding exports of new energy products, advanced materials, and specialty agricultural goods, reflecting a broader shift toward greener and more innovative industries.
For instance, Gansu has established complete industrial chains for photovoltaic, wind power, and solar thermal equipment manufacturing. O'Hao New Energy Power (Gansu) Co., Ltd., a leading local producer of photovoltaic cells, saw its exports exceed 10 million yuan within the first 20 days of this year. In agriculture, Gansu has accelerated the development of modern cold–arid specialty farming, with its "Ganwei" brand gaining recognition overseas. Companies such as Gansu Zhaofeng Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. have exported bean products to Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea, while Gansu Jianong Rensheng Fruit Industry Co., Ltd. has seen strong sales of Huaniu apples in ASEAN markets.
Since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) took effect, Gansu has deepened trade ties with ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand. Cross-border e-commerce and market procurement have also grown steadily. Exports to ASEAN now feature a balanced mix of specialty agricultural products and industrial goods, including Huaniu apples from Tianshui, potatoes from Dingxi, and vegetable seeds from Zhangye, alongside rising shipments of photovoltaic modules and lithium batteries.
On the import side, Gansu increased purchases of nickel matte, nickel–cobalt materials, agricultural products, and metal ores in the first two months. Imports of nickel matte reached 2.25 billion yuan, up 2.2%, while nickel–cobalt materials rose 55.8% to 510 million yuan. Agricultural imports grew 35.7% to 370 million yuan, and metal ore imports accounted for nearly 60% of the province’s total import value at 6.48 billion yuan.
Rising imports reflect growing industrial demand and vibrant consumer activity in Gansu. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, value-added output in nonferrous metallurgy, petrochemicals, and equipment manufacturing grew at average annual rates of 17.8%, 4.8%, and 9.9%, respectively. The output value of new energy and related equipment manufacturing exceeded 100.66 billion yuan.
This year, Gansu has launched the "Five Strengths" initiative to build a regional modern manufacturing base and develop an industrial system that leverages local advantages. Key sectors—such as petrochemicals, nonferrous metals, new energy, new materials, equipment manufacturing, aerospace, digital information, and biopharmaceuticals—are being prioritized, alongside modern light industry and services. The aim is to promote "Gansu-made," "Gansu-created," and "Gansu-designed" products and establish an advanced manufacturing-led industrial framework.
On the production front, imports of key raw materials have supported industrial upgrading and capacity expansion. Processing trade in the province grew 33.8% year-on-year to 3.45 billion yuan in the first two months, accounting for 23.7% of total foreign trade.
In consumption, Gansu International Logistics Group has imported grains, oils, and fruits from Central Asia and ASEAN countries, distributing them within Gansu and neighboring regions—highlighting robust consumer potential both locally and nationally.
A dynamically growing Gansu is creating more win–win opportunities for domestic and international partners. Lanzhou Customs officials stated that the province will continue to capitalize on opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative, align with high-standard trade rules, optimize customs clearance, and facilitate open channels to help local industries and products access global markets, promoting both the volume and quality of Gansu’s foreign trade.
Comments