China's excavator exports have seen a remarkable increase of over 30% this year.
According to the China Construction Machinery Industry Association, the cumulative sales of excavators in China from January to September 2026 reached 214,274 units, marking a 23.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Of this total, exports amounted to 109,744 units, up 30.4%. Exports now account for 51.2% of total sales, surpassing domestic sales on a cumulative basis.
In September alone, excavator sales reached 22,717 units, a 14.4% increase year-on-year. Exports for the month were 12,806 units, reflecting a 20.7% rise. The General Administration of Customs of China reported that the export value of construction machinery from January to August was $46.614 billion, a 20.8% increase from the previous year. Excavator exports have now risen for 26 consecutive months compared to the same period last year.
The surge in China's excavator exports can be attributed to price competitiveness. Chinese manufacturers have enhanced product competitiveness based on production experience and supply chains developed in the large domestic market. The localization of key components and the expansion of production scale have also contributed to cost reductions. As a result, Chinese equipment is well-received in price-sensitive emerging markets. The expansion of overseas sales networks and maintenance service systems has further supported the increase in exports. Major Chinese manufacturers are expanding local distribution and maintenance hubs to secure overseas customers. The demand for infrastructure construction and mining development in emerging markets such as Asia and Africa is also driving the growth of excavator exports from China.
The domestic market in China is also showing signs of recovery. In September, the average operating hours for major construction machinery products reached 80.7 hours per month, a 3.32% increase compared to the same period last year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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