Exports from China to Russia Have Recovered from the Decline: The Russian Market Remains a «Blue Ocean» for China

In mid-November, Moscow will host two major international events at once: the International/China Commodity Fair, an exhibition of high-quality consumer goods, and the China Machinery Fair, an exhibition of industrial technologies and innovations from China. Both events are dedicated to developing trade and economic cooperation between Russia, the CIS, Asia, and other countries.

It is no coincidence that the new Timiryazev Center exhibition complex was chosen as the venue for these important events. First, its space stands out for its well-developed infrastructure utilizing advanced engineering solutions that ensure the safety of events of any scale. Second, its high-tech halls make it possible to accommodate extensive expositions of Chinese enterprises, which will present trendy innovations and breakthrough solutions for the Russian consumer market and various industries.

This autumn, the new, progressive venue in Moscow will bring together innovators—developers, manufacturers, and distributors—as well as representatives of government bodies and trade associations from Russia, Asia, and the CIS to build a dialogue among the professional international community.

According to Chinese analytical sources, the Russian market still remains a "blue ocean" for China. That is why Chinese companies are actively working to promote their experience in networking, digitalization, and the digital economy in Russia.

The China Commodity Fair project has been running since 2016 and has made significant progress—from being just a consumer goods exhibition to becoming a comprehensive platform for the goods business. The exhibition evolves alongside the market and each year serves as an important business community for participants, providing opportunities not only to gain valuable insights from colleagues and representatives of related industries—such as logistics, finance, and certification—but also to expand their partner networks, outline new prospects for development, and plan future supplies.

Since 2020, when the field of e-commerce—particularly marketplaces—began to actively develop, the exhibition has shifted its focus toward informing participants and analyzing case studies in this area, taking into account the rapidly changing trends in e-commerce. «Today, one of the main groups of visitors to our venue are sellers and those planning to enter marketplaces. That’s why we tailor our business program and the exhibition itself to meet their needs. This way, all guests can not only find reliable suppliers, but also solve issues related to online promotion, fulfillment, analytics, and increasing sales. In fact, over this time, we have managed to cooperate with all the major Russian marketplaces,» commented Anna Goncharova, Commercial Director of Gefera Media.

Notably, in different years, such popular marketplaces as SberMegaMarketing, OZON, Wildberries, and others have participated in the International/China Commodity Fair.

This season, in the demonstration zone, leading manufacturers of electronics and consumer goods from China will showcase innovative technologies and present their export product lines. The exhibits will span products from China’s largest enterprises, ranging from household items and digital gadgets to home appliances.

The exhibition will also feature displays of home goods, tableware, interior and decorative items, gift and souvenir products, and goods for children. Visitors will have the opportunity to test products firsthand and ask questions directly to manufacturers and sellers.

Russian-Chinese trade relations continue to strengthen—particularly in the automotive sector. This is evidenced by the steady growth in exports of Chinese vehicles, as well as increased demand for cooperation between the two countries across the entire industry chain. Visitors to the upcoming China Machinery Fair will be able to see the latest models of commercial vehicles, as well as solutions in agricultural, construction, and general machinery, packaging, energy and other equipment, including a variety of innovations and components for power plants, oil fields, engineering, and industrial enterprises.

This year, more than 150 reputable companies from China, including manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers in the packaging, energy, agriculture, and construction sectors, have confirmed their participation in China Machinery Fair. Guests and participants will be able to discuss custom manufacturing opportunities right on site and, of course, negotiate favorable purchasing terms.

In addition, throughout the exhibition, experts from the Unified Consulting Center will be available on site to provide consultations on various issues—from logistics and supply details to bank transfers.

By the way, when speaking about the prospects for localization of Chinese manufacturing in Russia, analysts believe that cooperation with Russian companies is what will enable Chinese producers to reach a new level of manufacturing. Visitors will have the opportunity to discuss these prospects and other industry issues during the business program and at trade meetings with Chinese manufacturers at China Machinery Fair 2024.

Exports from China to Russia have recovered from the decline caused by financial sanctions, which was observed in March–April this year due to payment issues, and reached year-on-year growth of 1.8% in May and 5.1% in June. As a result, in monetary terms, goods exports amounted to 366.81 billion yuan in the first half of 2024, an increase of almost 2% compared to the same period in 2023, RBC reported, citing data from the General Administration of Customs of China on July 12, 2024.

On the eve of these results, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui made a significant statement to Russian media:

This year, as always, the organizers have shaped the event’s agenda according to the most pressing needs of market participants from both Russia and China. In particular, together with industry experts, there are plans to discuss and find optimal solutions for mutual settlements. Since spring, one of the most urgent issues for domestic businesses working with Chinese (and, more broadly, foreign) partners has been cross-border payments. Therefore, a key focus in this season’s exhibition will be on banking companies, while the business program will feature financial experts. According to the organizers, this approach to shaping the agenda will allow Russian and Chinese market representatives, together with industry experts, to jointly discuss and find the best solutions for mutual settlements.

In addition, throughout all three days, the venue will host discussion panels and forums on various topics. For example, participants will be invited to examine the behavioral patterns of today’s consumers. It’s no secret that, due to recent changes in the country and the world, Russian consumers have developed new consumption models—and invited experts will share how businesses can best adapt to these trends.

Another key topic on the business program will be on how to occupy niches left open after the withdrawal of foreign companies. The most profitable niches and products from China for late 2024–2025 will be announced—this kind of market analysis will help participants make savvy purchasing decisions.

Another highlight will be a section on promotion and sales growth on marketplaces. For several years now, e-commerce has brought participants together for serious discussions, where business owners from various sectors share successful tools and experiences and analyze mistakes using real case studies.

An unexpected—but timely—turn in this season’s business program will be a thematic panel on neural networks. The role of artificial intelligence is growing rapidly in many industries, and business is no exception: AI helps manage processes faster, more efficiently, and at lower cost. Just how it does this is best learned directly from reputable experts. Leading analysts in intelligent technologies have also been invited to contribute to the business program.