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Changes in the global trade environment are significantly influencing how Chinese exporters are preparing for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. This year, there’s a notable divide in order book trends: some companies have begun shutting down early, while others are still racing against the clock to meet demand.
An international freight forwarding expert mentioned that client holiday schedules are highly polarized this time around. Some companies plan to close early, while others are extending operations until the last possible moment. Overall demand appears to be notably weaker compared to previous years.
This year’s Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, falls on February 17, with official holiday periods running from February 15 to 23. However, some private businesses might adjust their holiday plans based on current order volumes and production schedules.
International geopolitical tensions and sluggish global demand have caused a slowdown in orders, according to Ding Yandong, a foreign trade entrepreneur based in Zhejiang Province. “Many factories have already started their holiday break,” he noted. Similarly, Li Shiyong, a trader in the Pearl River Delta, said many traditional manufacturers are choosing to close early.
“The market situation isn’t very optimistic,” said Yao Dong, an exporter based in Zhejiang specializing in children’s clothing. He observed that the industrial park housing his company began its holiday early this week—about a week ahead of previous years.
Despite the early closures, Yao mentioned that his workload has increased dramatically in recent days, requiring him to work overtime due to sustained demand from emerging markets. With orders outpacing production capacity, his company plans to delay their holiday this year.
He credited this growth to his company’s successful expansion into international markets over recent years. As domestic demand for children’s apparel continues to decline sharply, the company has established a foothold in Southeast Asia and Russia, along with overseas warehouses in Japan and South America.
While last year’s exact order figures are still being finalized, Yao is confident that his company achieved at least double-digit growth.
Wang Xiaonan, a hardware tools merchant in Yiwu, explained that her company won’t be closing early, citing robust progress in expanding into emerging markets. She revealed plans to open a new branded store in Thailand during the holiday period, even as her Yiwu location remains shut.
Wang reported feeling much busier as the Lunar New Year approaches than in previous years. Elevated US import tariffs have prompted Chinese exporters to accelerate initiatives in emerging markets and develop independent brands. Although her company’s American sales grew more slowly last year, overall exports increased by more than 20 percent.
A manager from an auto parts supplier in the Yangtze River Delta told us they haven’t decided on the holiday start date yet but will not be closing early. Despite a slight dip in orders for 2025 compared to last year, several new projects have recently launched, keeping production busy and capacity utilization high, especially ahead of the holiday period.
Last year, China’s imports and exports increased by 3.8 percent, totaling CNY 45.47 trillion (about USD 6.55 trillion), maintaining its status as the world’s largest trading nation. Strong exports of high-tech, high-value-added, and environmentally friendly products helped compensate for declines in traditional labor-intensive goods, according to customs officials.
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