Shanghai's foreign trade continued its robust expansion in April, with total imports and exports reaching 455.9 billion yuan ($67.03 billion), up 14 percent year-on-year, according to Shanghai Customs.

The city set a new monthly record in April, following peaks in February and March, marking 15 consecutive months of growth.

Exports rose 17.5 percent to 196.17 billion yuan, while imports increased 11.5 percent to 259.73 billion yuan, reflecting sustained double-digit growth in both directions and reinforcing Shanghai's stable trade momentum.

In the first four months of 2026, the city's total imports and exports climbed 19.7 percent to 1.68 trillion yuan, signaling steady improvement in the city’s foreign trade performance.

Trade with major partners showed broad-based gains in April. Trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations rose 26.4 percent, including a 95.7 percent surge in trade with Vietnam, while trade with South Korea jumped 57.2 percent.

Trade with the European Union increased 15.1 percent, with Italy and Belgium posting gains of 41.3 percent and 67 percent, respectively. Exports to the United States also showed stronger-than-expected resilience. Bilateral trade totaled 35.38 billion yuan. Of that, exports reached 20.13 billion yuan, up 13.9 percent year-on-year.

The rapid growth of the artificial intelligence sector has significantly boosted trade in AI computing-related products.

High-tech and green product exports surged. Exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products totaled 28.04 billion yuan in April, a 96.3 percent year-on-year increase, contributing 8.2 percentage points to overall export growth. These products reached over 200 countries and regions worldwide.

Within this category, electric vehicle exports rose 71.4 percent, lithium battery exports increased 92.5 percent, and exports of photovoltaic products surged nearly sixfold. Leading enterprises reported order books and production capacity approaching full utilization.

Exports of basic organic chemicals reached 5.99 billion yuan, up 43.9 percent, while primary-shaped plastics rose 45 percent to 3.85 billion yuan, setting a new single-month record. Temporary export orders for enterprises also increased significantly.

Labor-intensive product exports saw notable growth, with exports totaling 16.6 billion yuan, a 6.4 percent rise, marking the fastest monthly growth in nearly a year. Imports of high-end consumer goods, including clothing, luggage, and footwear, also grew 8.7 percent, 8.1 percent, and 6.1 percent, respectively, indicating steady improvement in consumer demand and the continued release of market vitality.

Source: Shanghai Observer