Growing number of overseas buyers come to Canton Fair for new products

The third phase of the world's largest trade fair, the Canton Fair, is currently underway in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, drawing buyers from more than 200 countries and regions for its autumn edition.

The current phase of the event features exhibits from 11,312 companies. Around 985,400 items are on display through its online platform. It includes 4,400 branded booths from 815 enterprises, reflecting a growth rate of over 40 percent compared with last year.

In addition, a total of 157,200 overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions have participated over the first two phases of the Canton Fair, marking a year-on-year increase of 53.6 percent.

The third phase of the fair, running through November 4th, features a variety of themed sectors. Attendees can explore collections ranging from toys, maternity, and childcare products to fashion, home textiles, and stationery, as well as goods for health and leisure.

Among the innovative exhibits is a unique home chair, composed of 41 percent coffee residue. This eco-friendly design ingeniously integrates coffee grounds with polypropylene particles, a response to the growing coffee consumption and associated waste.

There are also large carpets on display crafted from recycled fibers, which are derived from everyday plastic beverage bottles. Remarkably soft to the touch, each carpet repurposes approximately 3 kilograms of plastic, exemplifying a commitment to environmental sustainability.

In addition to everyday household items, there are a range of pet products on display, including underwater sports equipment designed for pet exercise and rehabilitation. The product serves as a solution for pets that may have difficulty doing strenuous exercise after surgery, as it provides buoyancy to reduce the impact of their body weight.

With the increasing number of people having pets, pet owners are now extending their concerns beyond just the basic needs of their pets, such as food and sleep, according to the exhibitor.

Buyers who inquire about the product are typically directors of pet hospitals or pet doctors, each with specific needs in mind, the exhibitor said. Currently marketed in South America, Southeast Asia, and North Africa, the product's presence at the fair is viewed as an opportunity to connect with new customers.

Platform bridging new products with the overseas market

Many exhibitors said that the Canton Fair not only aided in promoting their brands and securing orders but also facilitated entry into new markets. The fair also offers a diverse range of products, a constant stream of new offers, and access to cutting-edge market information.

"At the fair, an array of products and suppliers are conveniently gathered in one location," stated Manuel Mesa Mendoza, a purchasing director from Germany. "Our trust in Chinese enterprises is solid, owing to the high quality of products manufactured in China. Moreover, we consistently discover innovative products and new potential business partners at each event."

Meanwhile, companies in traditional industries are viewing the fair as a platform to exhibit their latest product enhancements.

Chen Litao, a representative from a Yangjiang cutlery firm, showcased a sleek, all-black knife with a non-stick coating at the fair. He explained that the knife also integrates antibacterial properties, highlighting the company's commitment to both functionality and hygiene.

Cutlery production in Yangjiang, a city in southwestern Guangdong, is a thriving regional industry. In 2022, Yangjiang accounted for roughly 85 percent of the country's total exports of hardware knives and scissors. For many cutlery enterprises, securing a spot at the Canton Fair is directly tied to their foreign trade orders for the following year.

However, the cutlery manufacturing sector is characterized by low entry barriers, which leads to relatively modest profit margins for these companies. In response, manufacturers are pursuing a range of strategies to produce high-quality tools that yield higher profits.

"Our company has integrated automated processes into the core steel-making phase," said Zhao Xinyan, a research and development staff member at the cutlery company. "In the next step, we aim to establish an end-to-end tool manufacturing chain, streamlining the entire production process with advanced automation."