01.06.2023
Shifts in Purchasing Trends in China, H1 2023
According to data from the Russian–Chinese multimodal logistics company Holding Finance Broker for June–November 2023, China supplied Russia with electronics, a range of consumer goods, automobiles and spare parts, road-construction machinery, and industrial equipment. Over this period, more than 3,000 containers were moved, covering a combined distance of over 900,000 km. Shipments were delivered mainly by sea (56%), by land—primarily rail and also by truck (33%)—and by air (11%). At the same time, multimodal (combined) transport accounted for over 80% of all shipments.
The largest share of cargo was electronics, home appliances, and gadgets (36%). Demand for electronic products—including smartphones, laptops, and other consumer electronics—rose significantly, with Chinese brands holding a substantial market share. It is also worth noting that many goods are imported into China from other countries, meaning China serves as a transit hub for certain categories. Consumer goods were equally in demand (36%), filling Russian shelves with broad assortments such as clothing and footwear, food products, toys, and games—areas where China continues to dominate the Russian market. Imports of food from China remain stable. Automobiles and spare parts accounted for 18%, with a sharp increase observed in imports of Chinese auto parts into Russia.