2025 China IC Forklift Export Analysis: Zhejiang Leads, Anhui Rises, HYDER's Dual-Base Advantage

Published: March 4, 2026 | Category: Industry Insights | Author: HYDER

China's forklift industry delivered impressive results in 2025. According to data from the China Construction Machinery Association, cumulative forklift sales reached 1.4518 million units in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 12.9%. Among these, export sales totaled 545,000 units, up 13.4% year-on-year, while domestic sales reached 906,800 units, up 12.6% year-on-year.

In the internal combustion (IC) forklift segment, provincial export performance reveals distinct regional characteristics. Based on full-year cumulative data from January to December 2025, this article provides an in-depth analysis of China's IC forklift export landscape and demonstrates how HYDER, with its dual production bases in Anhui and Shandong, is seizing the advantage in this evolving industry.

2025 IC Forklift Export Rankings by Province (Full-Year Cumulative)

Source: HYDER compilation based on 2025 industry statistics

What the Data Reveals: Industry Landscape Analysis

1. Zhejiang: Export Champion with Port and Private Enterprise Advantages

Zhejiang leads with 25.37%, a result of its strong private economy and port advantages. Leading forklift manufacturers like Hangcha Group are headquartered in Zhejiang, benefiting from the global shipping network of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, which provides exceptionally convenient export channels. Meanwhile, Zhejiang's technological accumulation in electric forklifts and warehouse equipment has also enhanced the quality of its IC forklifts.

2. Anhui: The Rising Manufacturing Heartland

Anhui ranks second firmly with 16.12%, confirming its status as the "heartland" of China's forklift manufacturing industry. Centered around Hefei, the region hosts industry leaders like Anhui Heli and hundreds of supplier companies, forming a complete industrial chain from engines and hydraulic components to complete vehicle assembly. Although Anhui is an inland province, the Yangtze River waterway connects it to Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port, keeping export logistics costs manageable and allowing its manufacturing advantages to be fully realized.

3. Shandong: Heavy Industry Heritage Meets Port Convenience

Shandong accounts for 10.37%, ranking fourth. As a major heavy industry province, Shandong has deep expertise in core components such as engines, hydraulic parts, and structural components. Companies like Shantui provide strong support for forklift manufacturing. Additionally, major ports like Qingdao Port and Rizhao Port offer natural export convenience.

4. Jiangsu and Hunan Close Behind

Jiangsu (9.79%) leverages the Xuzhou construction machinery cluster and riverside ports. Hunan (10.90%), centered around Changsha, is home to construction machinery giants like SANY and Zoomlion, with significant industrial chain effects.

 Q&A: 5 Most Common Customer Questions About IC Forklifts

Q1: How was China's forklift export performance in 2025? Is there still market space for IC forklifts?

A: In 2025, China's cumulative forklift exports reached 545,000 units, up 13.4% year-on-year, with export growth outpacing domestic sales. Although electrification is a clear trend, IC forklifts remain irreplaceable in heavy-load, outdoor, and continuous operation scenarios. Demand remains strong particularly in regions with active infrastructure development such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. IC forklifts still occupy a significant share of the export product mix in 2025.

Q2: Does Zhejiang's high export share mean Zhejiang brands are the most trustworthy?

A: The high export share reflects Zhejiang's port advantages and concentration of leading enterprises (such as Hangcha Group), but this does not mean manufacturing strength is concentrated in one province. Anhui ranks second with 16.12% and is headquarters to industry leader Anhui Heli, with deep manufacturing heritage. When selecting suppliers, consider manufacturing bases, industrial chain support, and service systems comprehensively, rather than looking only at provincial export data.

Q3: What are the characteristics of Anhui and Shandong in forklift manufacturing?

A:

• Anhui: Centered around Hefei, highly concentrated forklift industry chain, abundant skilled technical workers. Leading enterprise Anhui Heli has annual revenue exceeding RMB 10 billion, with product lines covering full IC and electric series, featuring mature manufacturing processes.

• Shandong: Strong heavy machinery component capabilities, particularly notable advantages in engines, hydraulic parts, and structural components, ideal for customers with customization requirements for core components.

Q4: Why did HYDER choose to establish factories in Anhui and Shandong? What benefits does this bring to customers?

A: HYDER established dual production bases in Anhui and Shandong precisely because of their complementary industrial advantages:

• Anhui Base: Integrated into the forklift industry cluster, ensuring manufacturing processes, supply chain efficiency, and technological maturity for complete vehicles, reducing manufacturing costs.

• Shandong Base: Leveraging heavy industry component capabilities, obtaining core component support for large-tonnage and special-duty IC forklifts, enhancing product durability.
  For customers, this means HYDER can provide both mature, reliable IC forklift products and greater flexibility in customization and cost control.

Q5: How can you evaluate a forklift manufacturer's after-sales service capability?

A: In addition to checking whether the manufacturer has service networks in major ports or customer concentration areas, consider: ① Spare parts supply system completeness (e.g., overseas warehousing); ② Remote diagnostic support availability; ③ Customer cases and long-term partnership reputation. HYDER leverages its Anhui and Shandong manufacturing bases to establish a responsive spare parts supply network and provides technical training and support for overseas customers.

HYDER's Location Advantage: Dual-Base Strategy Creating Customer Value

In the 2025 export landscape, both Anhui and Shandong rank among the top four, together accounting for over 26% of exports. HYDER's strategic aligns perfectly with this industry map:

🏭 Anhui Base: Embedded in the Industry Heart

• Access to a mature supply chain and skilled technical workforce, ensuring product consistency and reliability.

• Close to industry frontiers, rapidly absorbing electrification and intelligent technology advances for application in IC forklift upgrades.

• Export logistics via the Yangtze River waterway, efficient and smooth.

⚙️ Shandong Base: Tapping into Heavy Industry Heritage

• Leveraging Shandong's capabilities in core components like engines and hydraulics to enhance performance of large-tonnage IC forklifts.

• Serving northern markets and routes to Japan, Korea, and North America with diverse export channels.

• Complementing the Anhui base with north-south synergy, flexible capacity allocation, and strong order fulfillment guarantees.

HYDER's IC forklift product line covers 2.5-ton to 10-ton capacities, with optional Isuzu,  Mitsubish, and other brand engines, suitable for ports, mines, construction sites, and various working conditions. We adhere to the philosophy of "manufacturing bases close to industry cores, service systems close to customer needs," committed to providing global customers with cost-effective, durable, and reliable IC forklift solutions.

Conclusion

The 2025 data reveals a clear reality: China's IC forklift exports have formed a new pattern driven by "coastal ports + manufacturing heartlands" working in tandem. Zhejiang leads with its ports and private enterprise vitality, while Anhui and Shandong maintain top positions with their deep manufacturing heritage.

For purchasers, looking beyond the numbers to the fundamentals—the industrial chain depth of manufacturing bases often reflects long-term product value more accurately than export statistics alone. HYDER, rooted in the two major industrial strongholds of Anhui and Shandong, ensures product quality and delivery capability through its dual-base advantage, looking forward to win-win cooperation with global partners.

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Discussion Topic:
How do you think the export share between IC forklifts and electric forklifts will change in the next three years? Welcome to share your thoughts in the comments.