Massive Imports of Electric Heating Products Amid Russia's Natural Gas Threat and Prolonged Russia-Ukraine War
Europe Faces Blackout Concerns This Winter Due to Natural Gas Shortage
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] Exports of Chinese electric blankets to the European Union (EU) have surged.
a
Due to a shortage of natural gas, Europe, which must endure the cold and war this winter, has seen a sharp increase in imports of Chinese heating products such as electric blankets (including electric mats), electric heaters, and electric water heaters.
On the 27th, Chinese media outlet Pengpai cited statistics from the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, reporting that from January to July this year, exports of Chinese electric blankets reached $160 million (approximately 228.9 billion KRW), a 99% increase compared to the same period last year. During the same period, exports of Chinese electric water heaters and electric heaters amounted to $490 million and $33.4 million, respectively.
Pengpai particularly explained that demand for electric blankets in Europe is rapidly increasing. In July alone, 1.29 million Chinese electric blankets were exported to the 27 EU member countries. Among these, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the main importers, according to customs statistics cited by Pengpai. It also noted that the average monthly export volume of Chinese electric blankets to Europe in previous years was 189,000 units.
Pengpai reported that orders for heating products such as electric blankets and electric heaters usually end by mid-September, but additional orders continue to come in from Europe and other regions.
In fact, a representative from a company producing electric blankets in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, explained that orders from Europe have surged over the past two months, and they are currently operating night shifts to meet demand.
The increase in European demand for Chinese heating products is a phenomenon resulting from the prolonged Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s threat to cut off natural gas supplies to Europe has caused natural gas prices to skyrocket.
Moreover, with Russian President Vladimir Putin issuing a mobilization order and the Russia-Ukraine war likely to be prolonged, demand for electric heating products in Europe has surged as people worry about the cold this winter.
However, the rapid increase in the use of electric heating products raises the possibility of electricity shortages (blackouts) in Europe this winter, which may lead to restrictions on the use of electric heating products by Europeans.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
