Guangdong Province: 139th Canton Fair Sets Record for Overseas Buyer Attendance

GUANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 139th Canton Fair concluded on May 5 with a record number of overseas buyers, underscoring continued global demand for Chinese products and manufacturing innovation.

According to the China Foreign Trade Centre, the 15-day event attracted more than 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions, marking the highest attendance by international purchasers in the fair’s history.

Held across three phases, the fair featured more than 32,000 exhibitors and 75,700 booths spanning approximately 1.55 million square meters. Around 3,900 companies participated for the first time.

Organizers said the exhibition highlighted China’s push toward higher-value, technology-driven manufacturing. More than 4.65 million products were displayed, with notable growth in green technologies, smart products and goods backed by proprietary intellectual property.

The fair also reflected emerging industrial trends. More than 600 product launch events were held during the exhibition, while showcases related to future industries increased by 30% compared with the previous session. AI-related applications, including robotic patrol systems and drone demonstrations, were presented for the first time.

Nine new specialized exhibition zones were introduced, covering sectors such as consumer and agricultural drones, smart wearables, display technologies, integrated housing solutions, outdoor facilities, and functional fabrics. Nearly 670 companies participated in these dedicated sections.

The fair’s strong performance coincided with robust foreign trade growth in Guangdong, one of China’s largest export-oriented provinces. In the first quarter of 2026, Guangdong ranked first nationwide in total import-export volume and contribution to China’s trade growth.

Provincial exports reached 1.53 trillion yuan (approximately US$211 billion), up 14.3% year-on-year, while imports rose 27.8% to 1.01 trillion yuan. Exports of technology-focused products including 3D printers, drones and digital cameras recorded particularly strong growth.

Self-owned Chinese brands also expanded their international presence, with branded exports from Guangdong increasing 38% year-on-year and accounting for 26.6% of the province’s total exports in the first quarter.

First launched in 1957, the Canton Fair is widely regarded as a key barometer of China’s foreign trade and international commercial engagement. Guangdong authorities said the event continues to serve as an important platform connecting Chinese manufacturers with global buyers amid ongoing shifts in international trade and supply chains.