From January to August 2014, Guangdong's sporting goods exports grew rapidly.
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From January to August 2014, Guangdong's sports goods exports experienced a notable growth. According to customs data, the province exported sports equipment worth 14.78 billion yuan during this period, marking a 13.2% increase compared to the same period in 2013.
One of the key trends was the rapid year-on-year growth starting from April. Monthly exports consistently saw double-digit increases, with August reaching 1.97 billion yuan—an increase of 17.9% year-on-year and 3.9% month-on-month.
Another significant feature was that processing trade accounted for nearly half of total exports. From January to August, Guangdong exported 7.44 billion yuan through processing trade, down 10.6%, but still representing 50.4% of the total. General trade exports rose sharply by 34.1%, reaching 4.54 billion yuan, or 30.7% of the total.
Foreign-invested enterprises remained the primary exporters, contributing 9.18 billion yuan (a 3.4% decline), while private enterprises saw a dramatic surge, increasing their exports by 82.2% to 4.36 billion yuan.
The main export destinations were the United States, Hong Kong, and the European Union. Exports to the U.S. slightly declined by 0.6% to 4.68 billion yuan, accounting for 31.7%. Hong Kong imports jumped by 35.3% to 23.3 billion yuan, making up 23.9% of the total. Exports to the EU rose by 15.6% to 2.85 billion yuan, or 19.3% of the total. Together, these three markets accounted for 74.9% of Guangdong’s sports goods exports.
Despite the positive export growth, the domestic sports industry faces several challenges. First, the low percentage of the population engaged in regular physical activity—under 30% in China compared to over 70% in developed countries—limits the potential for sports consumption and development. In 2013, China’s sports industry generated about 300 billion yuan, or just 0.56% of GDP, far behind the U.S., where it contributed nearly 3% of GDP.
Second, the industry remains unevenly distributed, with most production concentrated in eastern coastal provinces. The top five regions—Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai—accounted for 85% of national output. Since 2009, the number of companies and employees in the sector has declined, signaling an adjustment phase. While sportswear and athletic shoes have seen a drop, sports equipment and fitness products have shown steady growth.
Notably, on September 2, 2014, Premier Li Keqiang chaired a State Council meeting to accelerate the development of the sports industry and promote public fitness. This marked a strong signal for reform and long-term growth in the sector.