As summer heatwaves sweep across many parts of the world, demand for cooling products has soared internationally. Statistics from the Qingdao Dagang Customs show that in the first five months of this year, exports of summer essentials — cooling clothing, fans, and mosquito repellents — exceeded 2.4 billion yuan ($354 million) in value. In May alone, Qingdao's air conditioner exports to the European Union (EU) reached 43.83 million yuan, up 53.2 percent.

The extreme heat in Europe has fueled a surge in demand for Chinese air conditioners, with some models selling out. At Hisense's Qingdao factory, air conditioner production lines are running at full capacity.

According to Ma Yuanyuan, general manager of Hisense's overseas marketing division, sales in Western Europe grew over 20 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, with France alone seeing a 100 percent surge. The company has increased production shifts to fulfill new orders.

Hisense's custom-designed split air conditioners for the European market feature an installation-friendly structure that reduces fitting time by 35 percent compared to standard models. In the first six months, 113,000 units were sold in Europe, a year-on-year increase of 117 percent.

To support the export surge, Qingdao Dagang Customs has taken measures including prioritized inspections and advance declarations, cutting customs clearance times by nearly 60 percent. A dedicated support team has also been set up to help small- and medium-sized garment exporters navigate varying standards and regulatory requirements across different markets.

Qingdao's air conditioner exports to the EU surged 53.2 percent in May as European heatwaves drive record demand for Chinese cooling products. [Photo/WeChat account: opionline]