Household Appliance Industry Shines at 138th Canton Fair, Showcasing Intelligent and Green Innovations
The 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), held in October 2025, demonstrated the robust global competitiveness of China's household appliance industry. With an exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters and over 74,500 booths, this year's event solidified its position as the world's largest trade fair, attracting more than 32,000 participating enterprises, including over 3,300 first-time exhibitors. Among them, home appliance manufacturers stood out with breakthroughs in smart technology, energy efficiency, and customized solutions for global markets.
Impressive Export Growth and Order Surges
China's home appliance exports have maintained steady growth, driven by innovation and diversified market strategies. From January to August 2025, the export value of white appliances reached $90.015 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3.83%, with notable surges in categories like dishwashers (10.28%), air purifiers (6.02%), and water purifiers (7.14%). At the fair, companies such as Dreame reported securing approximately 20 intent orders for washing machines on the first day alone, with production schedules already extended into 2026. The Foshan delegation alone achieved intent orders worth approximately $1.1 billion, a 2.8% increase from the previous session.
Smart and Green Products Take Center Stage
Innovations in AI-powered and energy-efficient appliances were highlights of the exhibition:
- Haier showcased its Boguan 618 refrigerator, the industry's first model integrated with the DeepSeek AI large language model, which can track ingredients and customize recipes. Its triple-drum washing machine and AI voice-enabled air conditioners also drew widespread attention.
- Midea and TCL emphasized smart ecosystems, featuring IoT-enabled devices like voice-controlled air conditioners and AI-driven kitchen appliances that transform hardware into lifestyle solutions.
- Gree Electric won multiple "Design Innovation Awards" for its washing machines, water purifiers, and industrial robots, highlighting synergies between consumer and industrial technology.
Energy-saving products tailored to regional needs also gained traction. For example, Shifan Power (MPMC) observed strong demand for solar-powered air conditioners in sun-rich regions like the Middle East and Africa, while Four Seasons Muke's heat pump pool heaters, which reduce energy costs by 80%, saw orders from Europe and South America.
Diversified Markets and Localized Strategies
To mitigate trade risks and expand globally, Chinese manufacturers are adopting localized production and branding:
- Lehigh Electric shifted most of its U.S.-bound production to factories in Vietnam and Thailand, enhancing supply chain resilience.
- Skyworth plans to establish refrigerator, washing machine, and air conditioner production bases in Southeast Asia, adopting a "More Global, More Local" approach to cater to regional preferences.
- Emerging markets in Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia became key targets, with companies like Zhankun reporting 40%-50% annual export growth through region-specific product development.
Digital Tools Enhance Global Engagement
The Canton Fair's upgraded app provided navigation, instant communication, and trade matching services, enabling overseas buyers to efficiently connect with exhibitors. Virtual showrooms and online catalogs further facilitated year-round engagement, with nearly half of all listed products marked as suitable for domestic sales, supporting dual-circulation strategies.
Outlook: Sustained Growth Through Innovation
The industry's focus on R&D—evidenced by over 10,000 high-tech enterprises at the fair—has strengthened its global position. As Wu Qinan, Executive Director of Skyworth, noted, "Chinese home appliance brands now compete at price points equivalent to Korean brands in Europe, proving that innovation transcends tariff barriers." With the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to boost demand in regions like South America, companies anticipate continued export growth.

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