The value of Yiwu's imports and exports has soared to an impressive 268.97 billion yuan ($37.63 billion) in the first half of 2023, registering a year-on-year growth of 21 percent.

Exports were valued at 237.41 billion yuan, a significant 17 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The import sector skyrocketed to 31.56 billion yuan after a 63.4-percent surge.

During the first half of the year, Yiwu's trade with Africa escalated to 49.38 billion yuan, up 31 percent year-on-year and its trade with Latin American countries reached 40.73 billion yuan, up 37.3 percent year-on-year.

The city's trade figures with India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia reached 13.03 billion yuan, 6.77 billion yuan, and 6.74 billion yuan, growth rates of 13.6 percent, 43.5 percent, and 56.9 percent, respectively.

During the same period, total trade with countries along the "Belt and Road" reached 101.20 billion yuan, an increase of 21 percent. Total trade with countries participating in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership reached 38.47 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.8 percent.

From January to June, Yiwu imported 16.93 billion yuan in consumer goods, an increase of 33 percent and accounting for 53.7 percent of the city's total imports. Imported beauty and cosmetics products and personal care products amounted to 3 billion yuan, a growth of 58.6 percent year-on-year.