The 139th Canton Fair opened in Guangzhou on April 15, setting records despite Middle East tensions disrupting travel. It features over 32,000 companies, 75,700 booths and a 1.55 million square metre area. Exporters voice concerns over geopolitical risks affecting Europe and emerging markets.
The 139th China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, opened on Wednesday in Guangzhou, China's manufacturing hub. Organisers reported record figures: 1.55 million square metres of exhibition space, 75,700 booths, more than 32,000 participating companies and about 3,900 first-time exhibitors. The three-week event, running in phases until May 5, serves as a bellwether for China's exports.
Rising Middle East tensions overshadowed the opening. Jason Tan, a lighting exporter from Zhongshan in Guangdong province, said travel disruptions are impacting attendance. “Reduced flight frequencies and higher prices for routes via the Middle East have not only restricted Middle Eastern buyers, but also affected customers from Europe and parts of Asia, due to transit issues,” he said.
Exporters have spent recent years reducing reliance on the US market amid tariff threats, turning to Europe and emerging markets for relief. However, they say Middle East risks, including disrupted air routes and energy-driven inflation, are revealing vulnerabilities in those markets.
For the first time, the fair introduced dedicated zones for commercial and agricultural drones, showcasing advances in flight controls, AI obstacle avoidance and new energy systems, alongside applications in tourism, farming and disaster response.
