Shanghai's foreign trade reached a record high in the first half of 2026, with Pudong New Area accounting for more than 80 percent of the overall increase.

According to data released by Shanghai Customs, the city's total imports and exports rose 18.6 percent year on year to 2.55 trillion yuan ($355.8 billion) in the first six months. Exports climbed 20.1 percent to 1.14 trillion yuan, while imports increased 17.4 percent to 1.41 trillion yuan, with both reaching record levels for the period.

Pudong delivered an even stronger performance. Its foreign trade grew 24.6 percent year on year to 1.63 trillion yuan, including 966.5 billion yuan in imports, up 21.9 percent, and 665 billion yuan in exports, up 28.8 percent.

In June alone, Pudong's imports and exports totaled 286.7 billion yuan, an increase of 28.5 percent from a year earlier. Exports surged 37.8 percent, while imports rose 22.5 percent.

Pudong accounted for 63.9 percent of Shanghai's total foreign trade in the first half, up three percentage points from a year earlier. Its contribution to the city's overall trade growth reached a historic high of 80.5 percent, further strengthening its role as the anchor of Shanghai's foreign trade.

Shanghai Customs said the city's imports, exports and total trade value all hit record highs in the first half. Exports also surpassed 1 trillion yuan for the first time, doubling from less than 600 billion yuan in the first half of 2016.

Shanghai's trade network also became more diversified, with trade increasing with more than 200 countries and regions. A total of 36 trading partners recorded trade volumes exceeding 10 billion yuan.

Emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and robotics, together with traditional strengths in shipbuilding and automobiles, continued to support trade growth. Cross-border e-commerce and bonded logistics also posted strong gains, reinforcing Shanghai's role as an international trade hub.

Pudong's semiconductor industry was another bright spot. Imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment reached 34.21 billion yuan in the first half, up 87 percent year on year. The district's share of China's imports of such equipment rose from 13.2 percent to 28.1 percent, reflecting the rapid expansion of semiconductor capacity and investment.