Canton Fair closes its 140th session. What Gulf buyers should plan for spring 2027
The autumn fair ended on 4 November. Third-party listings point to a mid-April start for the 141st session. Here is how to prepare.
- The 140th Canton Fair ran in Guangzhou from 15 October to 4 November 2026, marking the fair's 70th anniversary.
- About 32,000 exhibitors took part. New products made up a record 23.2% of exhibits, according to CGTN.
- Third-party trade-show listings show the 141st session running in three phases from 15 April to 5 May 2027. The organisers had not confirmed this at the time of writing.
- Gulf buyers who want to visit in April should start visa, travel and supplier shortlists in January.
The 140th China Import and Export Fair, better known as the Canton Fair, closed in Guangzhou on 4 November 2026 after three weeks. The session, which opened on 15 October, also marked the fair's 70th anniversary.
What stood out this autumn
About 32,000 companies exhibited, according to CGTN. It reported that new products made up a record 23.2% of exhibits, and that 64% of exhibitors said they had built industrial internet and AI into their research and production.
For the first time, the fair's trade services zone covered all 10 major categories of producer services: design, logistics, finance and similar services offered alongside products. CGTN said 36.5% of exhibitors have started adding services to what they sell.
Saudi Arabia was named among the buyer markets for Chongqing SUNDON Prefabricated Construction and Technology, whose planning director said more than 300 buyers had reached preliminary agreements with the company.
How the spring session went
The previous session, the 139th, ran from 15 April to 5 May 2026. Its organisers reported 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions, up 1.1% on the session before, and USD 25.7 billion in on-site intended orders. Those are intentions, not signed contracts.
The spring fair also expanded its hybrid services for Middle Eastern buyers who could not travel, including online supplier matchmaking and livestreamed exhibition tours. Those tours drew more than 3.05 million views, according to the fair's closing statement.
Spring 2027: the expected dates
Third-party exhibition listings show the 141st session in three phases. These dates follow the pattern of recent spring sessions, but treat them as provisional until the organisers confirm them.
| Phase | Listed dates | Typical focus |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 15–19 April 2027 | Electronics and home appliances, industrial machinery, vehicles, hardware and tools, lighting and electrical |
| Phase 2 | 23–27 April 2027 | Usually consumer goods, gifts, home décor and building materials |
| Phase 3 | 1–5 May 2027 | Usually textiles and garments, shoes, bags, food, health and personal care |
The venue is the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou's Haizhu district.
A planning timeline for UAE and Saudi buyers
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now to December | Decide which phase matches your products. Review what sold this year and what you want to source. |
| January | Register as a buyer once registration opens. Start the Chinese visa application if you need one. |
| February | Book flights and a hotel. Hotels near the venue fill quickly for Phase 1. |
| March | Shortlist suppliers from the online exhibitor list and book meetings in advance. |
| April–May | Visit, collect quotes and samples, and use our supplier checklist before paying any deposit. |
Buyers who cannot travel can use the fair's online matchmaking, though meeting a factory in person remains the most reliable way to judge it.