The Canton Fair is a no less than one and a half million square meters of exhibition space, thousands of visitors, factories and plants showcasing their goods. Without a doubt, today it is one of the world’s largest showcases for products of various purposes.
Traditionally, since the second half of the 20th century, the fair has been held in southern China, in the industrial metropolis of Guangzhou, twice a year, in spring and autumn. The giant Pazhou Exhibition Center, the largest in Asia, hosts the fair.
The exhibition is considered a showcase of the foreign trade of the People’s Republic of China.
It all started with an exhibition of Chinese export goods, which was decided to be held in the spring of 1957. The Chinese government wanted to earn foreign currency this, which could be spent on purchasing vital goods for the young republic. At first, the exhibition was almost entirely raw materials. But over time, the share of industrial goods significantly increased, by the end of the 20th century it accounted for more than eighty percent of the total quantity of goods presented at the exhibition center.
Why is the Canton Fair held in Guangzhou?
The reason is that at the time, in 1957, the city of Guangzhou was still known in Europe as Canton. Hence the name of the fair.
It is worth noting that Guangzhou (also known as Canton) is not only one of the ancient cities of China, with a history of more than two thousand years, but also a place with centuries-old trading traditions.Trade has been developing here since ancient times. Since the time of the Han Empire, foreign ships came here for Chinese goods. It is commonly believed that the maritime Silk Road originated from here.
Despite Guangzhou no longer being called Canton, the fair still retains the name Canton Fair.
Why visit the Canton Fair?
You can find suppliers no matter your industry. You can also have productive negotiations with potential Chinese partners. But the main reason to visit this fair is innovation.The Canton Fair is a global generator of trade trends. Want to know what will be trending soon? Visit the Pazhou Exhibition Center. It’s a key fair for both manufacturers and suppliers across virtually all industries. Remember when hoverboards and electric scooters hit our streets? Their first models were showcased here at the Canton Fair.
The space is so vast that it’s simply impossible to visit all sections of the exhibition in one go. That’s why it’s essential to plan your schedule in advance, focusing on the industries that interest you most. Remember, the primary reason to attend the Canton Fair is to understand what will be highly relevant in your industry.
Here, you can discover exciting new products directly from manufacturers across all sectors: mechanical engineering, electronics, transportation, toys, lighting, gardening tools, food production lines or packaging, sports and travel gear, gift and souvenir products, medical equipment, consumer goods ranging from clothing and footwear to home decor and plumbing, and much more. It’s easier to say what isn’t here than to list the vast array of goods that Chinese factories showcase each year at the Canton Fair. That said, we wouldn’t dare suggest there’s something you can’t find here — it seems like everything is available. No wonder it’s the largest trade fair in Asia and the third-largest in the world.
Is the Canton Fair exclusively for wholesale?
Yes, it is. The fair is designed for those who are focused on finding exciting new products and working with suppliers in the context of wholesale purchases. If your goal is not just to explore trends but to close deals with suppliers, you should be prepared for substantial volumes. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to attend the Canton Fair if you plan to purchase less than $50,000–$60,000 worth of goods, as larger volumes are the norm here.
It’s important to know the volumes you can commit to during negotiations with factory or supplier representatives since the price will heavily depend on the size of the order you’re ready to place.
2024 Canton Fair Dates
The upcoming autumn session of the fair is starting soon — on October 15, and it will run until November 4.
As usual, the event will be organized in three phases, with each phase showcasing specific types of products. Each phase will last five days, with a three-day break between phases.
- Phase 1: October 15 to October 19
- Phase 2: October 24 to October 27
- Phase 3: October 31 to November 4
Each phase covers specific industries and product categories. According to official information, the 2024 fair will feature:
Phase 1: Household appliances; consumer electronics; lighting equipment; new energy resources; innovations in the chemical industry; processing machinery and equipment; advancements in mechanical engineering and industrial automation; construction and agricultural machinery; vehicles and spare parts.
Phase 2: Construction and finishing materials, sanitary and bathroom equipment; furniture; kitchenware; artistic ceramics; home decor items; gifts and souvenirs; optical instruments; gardening products, and more.
Phase 3: Personal hygiene products; medical goods and devices, medicines, and other health-related products; pet products; toys; men’s and women’s clothing; footwear; maternity and baby products; sports and travel gear; fur and leather goods; clothing accessories; home textiles; carpets and tapestries; office supplies; bags and suitcases, and more.
What is needed to come to the Canton Fair?
- A visa (even a tourist visa is suitable, it is cheaper and easiest to get)
- A plane ticket. It is better to take care of its purchase in advance, since traditionally, on the days of the fair, the prices of air tickets to Guangzhou go up.
- Registration. It is also better to register in advance on the official website of the exhibition, so as not to waste precious time during the event itself.
- A great desire to communicate with suppliers and see the trends of the near future with your own eyes.