China-Lusophone Trade Hits Record $105.8B Exports
Exports from Portuguese-speaking nations to China surged to a historic high in the first eight months of the year, reaching $105.8 billion. The 22.1% year-on-year increase marks the strongest start to a year since the Macau Forum began tracking China Customs data in 2013.
Brazil Leads the Charge
Brazil continues to dominate the trade relationship as the primary Lusophone supplier to the Chinese market. Brazilian exports jumped 25.1% to reach a record $90.9 billion between January and August. This surge underscores the deepening agricultural and industrial ties between the two nations.
Other major contributors also saw significant growth. Angola, the second-largest exporter in the group, saw its sales to China rise 9.8% to $11.5 billion. Meanwhile, Portugal maintained steady growth, with exports increasing by 1.1% to nearly $2 billion.
High Growth and Key Exceptions
The upward trend was felt across most of the bloc:
- Equatorial Guinea: Sales rose 24.2% to $577.4 million.
- East Timor: Recorded the most dramatic percentage leap, with exports skyrocketing from just $44,000 to $2.23 million.
- Cape Verde: While volumes remain small, the country more than doubled its sales to China.
However, the growth was not universal. Mozambique saw its exports contract by 19.3% to $883.6 million, and São Tomé and Príncipe experienced a sharp decline of 89.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
Two-Way Trade Hits Record Peaks
The trade relationship is flourishing in both directions. Imports by Portuguese-speaking countries from China grew 21.3% to $69.9 billion—a new record for the January-August window. Brazil and Portugal remain the top buyers of Chinese goods, with imports rising 22.4% and 21.1%, respectively.
Total bilateral trade between China and the Lusophone bloc reached an unprecedented $175.7 billion during the period, an overall increase of 21.8%. Despite the high volume of Chinese imports, the Lusophone bloc maintains a healthy trade surplus, leaving China with a trade deficit of $35.9 billion with the group.
Image: Pexels – Madzery Ma
