Chinese manufacturers Midea and Gree report surging demand for portable split air conditioners in Europe amid record heat since late May.
At a Midea Group air conditioner factory in Shunde District of Foshan, Guangdong Province, workers are increasing output of portable split air conditioners. The units are shipped via China-Europe freight trains, taking 15 to 25 days.
Xiong Xueqin, sales director of Midea RAC Europe Region, said the company is using flexible manufacturing to meet European consumer demand. Local subsidiaries assist with customs clearance upon arrival at overseas ports for quick distribution.
European households have faced challenges selecting air conditioners. Traditional portable units are often bulky and noisy, while split systems involve high installation costs and long periods. Midea's PortaSplit addresses these issues with tool-free installation and a design suited to windows in historic European buildings.
China's exports of household air conditioners to Western European countries rose 9.7 percent year-on-year in the first five months of 2026, with the portable category growing over 70 percent. Sales in France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom increased more than 70 percent year-on-year.
