China's Sporting Goods Exports Edge Up 1.21% in Q1 2026, Fitness Equipment Surges 12.37%
Source：CHINA SPORTING GOODS FEDERATIONRelease time：2026-06-29Clicks：
In the first quarter of 2026, China’s total import and export volume of sporting goods reached USD 7.887 billion, a mild year-on-year increase of 0.99%. Exports stood at USD 7.554 billion, rising by 1.21%, while imports hit USD 330 million, down 3.79%. The export growth rate lagged far behind the national merchandise export growth of 11.9%, with lingering impacts from Sino-US trade frictions still in place.
Sport Shoes Exports Plunge 26%, Fitness Equipment Acts as the Main Stabilizer
Exports of major sporting goods categories saw stark divergences. Other fitness and rehabilitation equipment delivered the strongest performance, with exports totaling USD 1.444 billion, up 12.37% year on year. Treadmill exports hit USD 339 million, growing by 5.94%. Both categories continued their strong momentum from 2025 into Q1 2026.
Ball games related product exports reached USD 695 million, rising 6.52%. Sportswear exports hit USD 709 million, up 1.72%. Artificial turf exports stood at USD 109 million, with a 0.93% uptick. By contrast, sport shoes exports suffered a sharp slump, recording only USD 342 million, a year-on-year drop of 26.13%. Outdoor goods exports edged down slightly by 0.14%.
U.S. Market Share Falls Below 30%, European Markets Step In
Among key export destinations, shipments to the United States and Japan registered the most notable declines. Q1 exports to the U.S. fell to USD 104 million, a 12.43% year-on-year drop, dragging its market share down from 32.20% to 27.86%. Exports to Japan amounted to USD 278 million, declining by 6.63%. Meanwhile, European and emerging markets delivered outstanding results. Exports to Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, France, Spain and Australia all grew by more than 10%.
Notably, the USD 299 million drop in U.S.-bound exports exceeded the combined export growth to the other eight markets including Germany and the UK, making it the primary drag on overall export growth.
Industry Outlook: Diversified Market Layouts Effectively Offset Risks from Overreliance on Single Markets
China’s sporting goods exports face considerable pressure amid a complicated and challenging global trade landscape. However, surging exports to major European markets have successfully mitigated risks stemming from volatility in individual markets. Sustained strong demand for fitness equipment and treadmills has further bolstered China’s international competitiveness, rendering them the anchor stabilizing overall sporting goods exports.
Sport Shoes Exports Plunge 26%, Fitness Equipment Acts as the Main Stabilizer
Exports of major sporting goods categories saw stark divergences. Other fitness and rehabilitation equipment delivered the strongest performance, with exports totaling USD 1.444 billion, up 12.37% year on year. Treadmill exports hit USD 339 million, growing by 5.94%. Both categories continued their strong momentum from 2025 into Q1 2026.
Ball games related product exports reached USD 695 million, rising 6.52%. Sportswear exports hit USD 709 million, up 1.72%. Artificial turf exports stood at USD 109 million, with a 0.93% uptick. By contrast, sport shoes exports suffered a sharp slump, recording only USD 342 million, a year-on-year drop of 26.13%. Outdoor goods exports edged down slightly by 0.14%.
U.S. Market Share Falls Below 30%, European Markets Step In
Among key export destinations, shipments to the United States and Japan registered the most notable declines. Q1 exports to the U.S. fell to USD 104 million, a 12.43% year-on-year drop, dragging its market share down from 32.20% to 27.86%. Exports to Japan amounted to USD 278 million, declining by 6.63%. Meanwhile, European and emerging markets delivered outstanding results. Exports to Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, France, Spain and Australia all grew by more than 10%.
Notably, the USD 299 million drop in U.S.-bound exports exceeded the combined export growth to the other eight markets including Germany and the UK, making it the primary drag on overall export growth.
Industry Outlook: Diversified Market Layouts Effectively Offset Risks from Overreliance on Single Markets
China’s sporting goods exports face considerable pressure amid a complicated and challenging global trade landscape. However, surging exports to major European markets have successfully mitigated risks stemming from volatility in individual markets. Sustained strong demand for fitness equipment and treadmills has further bolstered China’s international competitiveness, rendering them the anchor stabilizing overall sporting goods exports.
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