Zhejiang-CEECs trade hits $25.68b as expo nears

A poster for the fourth China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair. [Photo provided by the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province]

Trade between East China's Zhejiang province and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) reached $25.68 billion in 2024, up 10 percent from the previous year.

The fourth China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair, set for May 22 to 25 in Ningbo, will spotlight this growing partnership.

Products like Serbian meadow honey, Hungarian Tokaji wine, and Bulgarian rose goods are making steady inroads into China, boosted by previous appearances at the expo.

In the first quarter of 2025, Zhejiang's trade with CEECs reached 46.84 billion yuan ($6.43 billion), up 15.7 percent year-on-year, according to customs statistics. Exports totaled 41.77 billion yuan, a 16 percent increase, while imports rose 13.5 percent to 5.06 billion yuan.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port now links directly with five ports in CEECs, cutting transit to 30 days. Ningbo Lishe International Airport has also opened a direct route to Budapest, while customs fast-tracking ensures smooth entry for goods.