April 2023 marked the return of the full-scale, in-person Canton Fair. After three years of virtual and hybrid sessions, 129,000 international buyers from 229 countries walked the halls. We were among them.

What Changed

  • Scale: 70,000 booths โ€” the largest Canton Fair in history. Three new exhibition areas added: industrial automation, new energy vehicles, and smart mobility.
  • Buyer Demographics: Strongest attendance from Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa. European and American buyers fewer than pre-pandemic but returning.
  • Digital Integration: Every booth now has QR codes linking to digital catalogs. Many suppliers offer hybrid engagement โ€” in-person meeting followed by digital follow-up.
  • MOQ Flexibility: More suppliers than ever willing to negotiate on minimum orders โ€” the era of "1,000 minimum or nothing" is fading.

Hot Products at the Fair

New energy dominated โ€” EVs, charging stations, solar panels, battery storage occupied entire halls. Smart home products showed maturity with integrated ecosystems. Pet products grew significantly compared to pre-pandemic fairs.

Factory Sentiment

Suppliers are hungry โ€” order books are thinner than 2019. This means better pricing, better terms, and more willingness to customize for international buyers. If you've been waiting to source from China, the market conditions haven't been this favorable in years.