China's construction machinery sector has achieved a remarkable export performance in the first two months of 2026, with total export value reaching $10.686 billion, representing a 33.4% year-on-year increase, according to data released by the China Construction Machinery Association (CCMA) on March 23. Even in February, which included the Spring Festival holiday, exports remained strong at over $5.1 billion, surpassing the 2025 monthly average by 50.16%. This robust growth underscores the global competitiveness of Chinese construction machinery manufacturers and their successful transition toward high-end, electrified product portfolios.
Regional breakdowns reveal a diversified and expanding global footprint. Exports to Africa soared by an impressive 77%, while shipments to Oceania rose by 50.6%, and those to Europe increased by 28.1%. Exports to countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative totaled $4.638 billion, accounting for 43.4% of the total export value, highlighting the strategic importance of these markets. Key product categories driving this growth include construction machinery parts, crawler excavators, and off-highway mining dump trucks. Notably, high-end and electric models have emerged as the new growth drivers, reflecting the industry's successful upgrade in technology and product structure.
Leading Chinese manufacturers are accelerating their global expansion strategies. Sany Group signed a $100 million procurement agreement with CCC Group on March 20, while Sunward Intelligent dispatched equipment worth hundreds of millions of yuan to key domestic regions and overseas markets in Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia. Shantui Construction Machinery has set a target of achieving 10.5 billion yuanin overseas sales revenue in 2026, with differentiated strategies tailored to different regional markets. By the end of 2025, LiuGong's international business accounted for over 45% of its total revenue, and Zoomlion's intelligent aerial work platform factory in Hungary officially opened recently, marking a significant step in localized production.
Industry analysts predict continued strong momentum for the sector. CITIC Construction Securities forecasts that China's domestic construction machinery market will grow by more than 10% in 2026, with exports expected to increase by over 15%, driven by both domestic and international demand. The industry is evolving from a reliance on simple product exports to a new stage of localized production, deep cooperation, and full-chain operation. With their technological and supply chain advantages, leading enterprises are well-positioned to further expand their global market share and drive the high-quality development of the entire industry.
