On March 19, the Anhui Provincial Bureau of Statistics released the province’s economic performance for January to February, 2026. The data show that in the first two months the provincial economy maintained steady improvement and made a strong start: industrial value added above the designated size rose 11.2% year‑on‑year; auto (including chassis) exports reached 275,000 units, ranking first nationwide, with export value increasing 120%, and exports of new energy vehicles up threefold.

From the industrial economy perspective, production accelerated, with strong gains in equipment manufacturing and high‑tech manufacturing. From January to February, industrial value added above the designated size increased by 11.2% year‑on‑year, 1.8 percentage points higher than the full‑year figure last year. By the three major sectors, value added in mining rose 2.6%, manufacturing rose 12.6%, and electricity, heat, gas and water production and supply rose 4.5%. Value added in equipment manufacturing increased 18.4%; within that, computer, communications and other electronic equipment manufacturing surged 51.7%, and automobile manufacturing grew 12.6%. High‑tech manufacturing value added rose 39.3%. By ownership type, value added of state‑held enterprises grew 11.3%; shareholding enterprises grew 12.5%; and foreign‑ and Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan‑invested enterprises grew 3.6%. By product, integrated circuit output rose 44.2%, service robot output increased 160%, and automotive lithium‑ion power battery output grew 29.7%.

Market sales showed steady growth, with solid performance in essential daily‑use goods. From January to February, total retail sales of consumer goods in the province reached RMB 414.15 billion, up 2.3% year‑on‑year. Sales of basic living goods grew rapidly: retail sales above designated size for beverages, grain & edible oil and food, tobacco & alcohol, and clothing/footwear/knitted textiles increased by 13.4%, 12.7%, 11.6% and 9.7% respectively. Sales of some upgraded goods remained stable: retail sales of cultural and office supplies and communication equipment above designated size rose 7.1% and 13.2% respectively. Catering revenue realized through public online channels for above‑designated‑size catering units in the province grew 15.8%.

Goods trade grew rapidly and the export structure continued to optimize. From January to February, the province’s total imports and exports amounted to RMB 183.56 billion, up 29.3% year‑on‑year and 12 percentage points higher than the full‑year figure of last year. Exports rose 34.4% and imports rose 18.8%. Imports and exports with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative increased 26.6%. Among export commodities, auto (including chassis) exports reached 275,000 units, ranking first nationwide, with export value up 120% and new energy vehicle export value up threefold; flat‑panel display module export value grew 35%.

Source: Anhui Daily