Source: China Economic Net (http://en.ce.cn/Insight/202604/t20260417_2912303.shtml) – April 17, 2026
Relevance: Feed & biomass machinery manufacturing – Liyang, Jiangsu

National Overview

According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s total imports and exports of goods reached ¥11.84 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 15% – the highest Q1 growth rate in five years. Exports grew by 11.9% to ¥6.85 trillion, while imports surged by 19.6% to ¥4.99 trillion.

The data indicates that China’s foreign trade has maintained a scale above ¥10 trillion for 12 consecutive quarters, demonstrating strong resilience and structural optimization.

Jiangsu Province Outperforms

Jiangsu Province, a major manufacturing and export hub, recorded even stronger performance. In January–February 2026 (the latest provincial breakdown available), Jiangsu’s foreign trade reached ¥1.03 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 19.7% – 1.4 percentage points above the national average for the same period.

Key drivers include:

• Deep integration of AI and manufacturing (Jiangsu has launched diagnostic programs covering over 11,700 industrial enterprises)

• Rapid expansion of cross-border e‑commerce channels (e.g., Nantong airport CBEC exports rose 213.8% year-on-year)

• The province’s “Five New” initiatives (new market entities, new overseas markets, new CBEC models, new logistics channels, and new high-value products)

• Higher opening-up policies in multiple aspects, including legal services.

• More internationalized infrastructures: Nanjing is expanding its current Lukou International Airport by building a new runway, a district for international cargo flights, a new terminal, and a new high speed railway station to connect more international clients with suppliers in Jiangsu with a group of high-speed rails across Jiangsu province in the next few years. Shanghai starts to build a new international airport that is located in Nantong, Jiangsu and also a new high-speed railway station that is close to its current Pudong International Airport, which can make the suppliers in Jiangsu access the international market more conviently than ever before, and it can also make international buyers visit the factories in Jiangsu more quickly than without it does.
  

These factors have strengthened Jiangsu’s industrial supply chains and export logistics – both critical for capital equipment sectors such as feed milling and biomass processing machinery.

Why This Matters for Industrial Buyers

For international buyers of feed mills, hammer mills, pellet mills, and complete biomass lines, the current trade environment in Jiangsu offers tangible advantages:

• Stable, growing industrial output – Suppliers in Jiangsu benefit from a dense network of precision engineering and component suppliers.

• Efficient export infrastructure – Ports in Shanghai and Jiangsu (Nantong, Lianyungang, Taicang) provide reliable access to global markets.

• Policy support for machinery exports – Provincial programs help manufacturers maintain competitive lead times and quality standards.

• Five major international airports nearby - Liyang is very closed to Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Wuxi Shuofang International Airport, Changzhou Benniu International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. From all these airports, you can travel to Liyang within 2.5 hours by high-speed rail or by cars. It makes customers more easily to visit Liyang.
  

Liyang (under Changzhou, Jiangsu) has long been recognized as a manufacturing base for milling equipment. The city’s industrial ecosystem, combined with Jiangsu’s strong trade performance, positions local machinery producers as capable partners for global buyers. Liyang is a very internationalized city. Recently, both French Consul General and a group of German delegations from Fulda district have visited Liyang to promote corporations in multiple aspects, including business, education, technologies, and etc..

Conclusion

China’s record Q1 trade figures and Jiangsu’s above‑average growth reflect a mature, upgrade‑driven manufacturing economy. For companies sourcing feed or biomass milling equipment, the region’s industrial fundamentals – supply chain depth, logistics efficiency, and policy stability – remain compelling reasons to consider Chinese suppliers, particularly those based in high‑performance provinces like Jiangsu.

This article is provided for informational purposes. For specific sourcing inquiries, please refer to individual manufacturer profiles and certifications.