Ningbo ski poles dominate global market

The manufacturing center of Ninghai Better Outdoor Products Co Ltd. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

The 9th Asian Winter Games began on Feb 7 in Harbin, sparking global interest in winter sports and giving a boost to exports of winter sports products.

Ninghai Better Outdoor Products Co Ltd in Ninghai county is a leading manufacturer. Its factory rapidly processes raw materials like aluminum alloy and carbon fiber into sleek, practical ski poles. Seven out of every 10 ski poles exported from China come from Ninghai, with Better Outdoor at the forefront.

"We mainly export aluminum alloy ski poles, with annual exports exceeding 200,000 pairs, primarily to South Korea, Japan, and Canada. In 2024, we expanded to Chile and Colombia, seeing a 40-percent year-on-year sales increase in South America," said Guo Jinlong, the company's foreign trade manager.

One practice pole for novice alpine skiers, featuring a thermoplastic elastomer coating for comfort, has become a bestseller. Initial overseas orders reached 32,000 pairs, with repeat orders growing 28 percent to 41,000 pairs.

Other skiing equipment, such as snowboards and anti-slip shoe covers, are also popular internationally. Xingda Tourism Supplies Co Ltd in Ninghai is ramping up production to meet demand.

The company's snowboards are mainly sold in North America, Northern Europe, Japan, and South Korea, comprising 50-percent of Xingda's total output value, noted Liu Wen, the company’s administrative manager.

Ningbo Customs reports overseas demand for a diverse array of winter sport products, enhancing Ningbo's manufacturing competitiveness. In 2024, skiing equipment exports through Ningbo Port reached 132 million yuan ($18.11 million), with peak season exports from July to December totaling 115 million yuan.