China has been manufacturing—and exporting—more goods than any other country for well over a decade. In 2019, China manufactured $3.85 trillion worth of goods and exported $2.64 trillion worth of them to countries around the world.
So what are all these goods? What exactly does China manufacture that has the world beating a path to its door?
It’s a question that gets asked all the time—and not just by curious minds like yourself. It’s also something that businesses, governments, and countries all over the world want to know.
China’s abundant production of goods often translates into low costs of labor and materials, making it a good place to find bargains. Keep reading to find out if Chinese manufacturers can help meet the demands of your business.
Textiles, Fabric, and Garments
It’s not surprising that China outpaces all other countries when it comes to manufacturing textiles and garments. In 2021, the country was responsible for 15% of all cotton garments in the US. China is also responsible for nearly 80% of cotton worldwide, making it the largest exporter of apparel goods on Earth.
Iron and Steel
China is the largest producer of iron and steel in the world. In fact, Chinese manufacturing accounts for more than 15% of the global total. There were four major markets for metal exports: the United States, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.
The main exports are:
- Ferroalloys
- Rolled products such as plates and coils
- Flat-rolled products such as sheets
- Wide flange beams
- Hot-rolled structural steel beams
- Rebars (bar rods)
- Wire rods
- Alloy steel
- Seamless pipes/tubes
The United States has placed a 25% tariff on imported steel in an attempt to level the playing field for domestic manufacturers. One drawback to this strategy is that some Chinese manufacturers can produce iron so cheaply that importing the goods would still be less expensive than buying them locally.
Car Manufacturing
If you’ve ever bought a car, chances are it was made in China. Car manufacturing is one of the top industries in China, producing about 26 million vehicles in 2021 alone. Over one million of these cars were exported globally.
Does China Manufacture U.S. Cars?
Many of the world’s largest auto manufacturers have factories in China.
Ford and General Motors operate assembly plants there. Volkswagen began to manufacture in China with its first factory outside Germany in China, and Hyundai produces most of its cars for export from Chinese plants.
Trucks and Commercial Vehicles
In 2020, China’s heavy truck sales totaled 1.6194 million units; medium trucks came in at 159,000 units sold, and consumers purchased 2.1978 million light trucks that year.
This is a decrease from 2019. However, global car sales have been down in recent years because of economic factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. So, while Chinese car sales are down compared to previous years, they are still relatively high on a global scale.
Auto Parts
China manufactures over $34 billion of all automotive parts worldwide—more than what Japan, the U.S., or Germany produce! And because China is such a large market (with over 1 billion people), many foreign automakers have set up shop there to get closer to their customers and improve their efficiency.
Aircraft Manufacturing in China
China’s aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in its economy, with aircraft sales totaling $2.45 billion in 2020. In addition to airplanes produced by Chinese companies, many foreign brands have also entered into partnerships with Chinese aviation firms for joint ventures or licensing agreements.
For example, Airbus has a joint venture with the Chinese aviation sector to produce aircraft in Tianjin. Boeing also maintains a sizable presence in China, having opened its assembly facility in Zhanjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai.
Medical Equipment
In the first half of 2020, China accounted for 28.7% of global medical product exports. China exports more than twice as much as the next-largest exporter, the United States.
China’s primary exports in this sector include masks, gloves, protective clothing, and diagnostic products. China has exported significant quantities of face masks to European countries in recent months. By mid-March 2020, Chinese sources reported they were manufacturing over 100 million face masks per day.
Benefits of Sourcing Medical Equipment in China
The sheer volume of face masks produced in China means they are successfully meeting the growing demand for this product in other countries. It shows that China is capable of ramping up production to meet global demand, which could be helpful in future pandemics or health crises.
If you’re looking to source medical devices, China is a good option. In addition to meeting global demand, they are experts at matching the speed of production with their clients’ growth.
Optical Gear
China exported nearly $17 billion of optical devices and instruments in 2020. The primary destinations of China’s exports of optical devices, appliances, and instruments were:
- Poland
- Mexico
- Vietnam
- Hong Kong
- United States
The fact that optical devices and instruments are among China’s top exports suggests that they have a strong foothold in this sector.
Why Choose Chinese Manufacturers
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it’s important to consider sourcing options from a global perspective. China is a leading exporter with a strong track record of quality products and satisfied customers. When evaluating potential suppliers, keep in mind that Chinese manufacturers are typically able to meet high volumes of orders quickly and efficiently, making them an ideal partner for businesses experiencing rapid growth or responding to unforeseen demand spikes.
Find a Reliable Manufacturer
Now you know the top products China manufacture from what they don’t. China’s culture of innovation and precision, for example, means that you can develop your product with the help of some of the best engineers in the world.
China2West has been helping clients from all over the world source from China since 2005 and we have built up an extensive network of reliable suppliers in Shenzhen, Tianjin, Shanghai, and throughout China. Contact us for reliable manufacturers whose top priority is helping your business.
