According to the Xingsha Customs Authority on July 1, Changsha's imports of agricultural products rose sharply in the first five months of 2026. Among them, imports of aquatic products, cassava starch, and coffee increased by 51.9%, 727.1%, and 384.9% year on year, respectively, becoming important drivers of import growth.

During the January-May period, Changsha's total import and export value reached 125.01 billion CNY, of which imports amounted to 50 billion CNY, a sharp increase of 39.1%. This demonstrated that imports played a significant role in driving overall foreign trade.

The structure of imported goods focused on essential industrial supplies and specialty agricultural products. Changsha imported 22.65 billion CNY of mechanical and electrical products, with a growth rate exceeding 50%. Imports of agricultural products rose sharply, with significant growth in imports of aquatic products, cassava starch, and coffee.

Industry insiders pointed out that overall, the surge in Changsha's cassava starch imports was driven in the short term by a low base, concentrated restocking, and policy dividends, while in the long term, it is underpinned by the sustained expansion of local industrial demand. Going forward, as new-season supplies from Southeast Asia hit the market and inventories gradually become saturated, this exceptionally high growth rate may slow down. However, supported by the sustained recovery of industries in central China, the volume of Changsha's cassava starch imports is expected to remain at a high level.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Voice of Hunan