Guangzhou's foreign trade posted significant growth in the first four months of 2025, reaching a total value of RMB 400.2 billion (approx. USD 55.3 billion), according to Guangzhou Customs. This marks a year-on-year increase of 17.6% and extends the city's streak of positive trade growth to 11 consecutive months.

Exports of mechanical and electrical products totaled RMB 111.93 billion, up 16.5% year-on-year. High-tech product exports also performed well, growing by 16.3% to reach RMB 28.49 billion. Notably, exports of electric vehicles, solar panels, and lithium batteries rose 24.5% to RMB 6.3 billion. Ship exports also recorded double-digit growth, increasing 19.7% to RMB 8.37 billion.

On the import side, Guangzhou brought in RMB 33.91 billion worth of high-tech products, up 21.1%, highlighting the city's role in supporting innovation-led trade development.

Guangzhou's private enterprises continue to dominate the city's trade landscape. More than 20,000 companies recorded import or export activity from January to April, a 10.8% increase from the same period last year. Of these, over 85% were private firms. Private businesses accounted for RMB 242.14 billion in trade, over 60% of the city's total, and posted a robust growth rate of 32.6%.

The city has strengthened its trade ties with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with bilateral trade reaching RMB 187.59 billion, up 28.5%. Trade with ASEAN countries was particularly strong, climbing 43.6% to RMB 70.16 billion. Trade with traditional markets such as the European Union and the United Kingdom also saw double-digit growth.