China’s Imports Unexpectedly Fell In June, But Exports Beat Forecasts

China’s imports fell in June, missing expectations for a slight rise, while exports rose more than expected, customs data showed on Friday.

KEY DATA

China’s imports fell 2.3% in June from a year earlier in US dollar terms. That contrasted with a forecast for growth of 2.8 percent, according to a Reuters poll.
Exports denominated in US dollars for June rose 8.6% year-on-year, beating expectations for growth of 8%.
Those numbers boosted year-to-date imports by 2% and exports by 3.6% in the first six months compared to the same period a year earlier.
China’s trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations grew 7.1 percent in the first half of the year, cementing the bloc’s position as the country’s largest trading partner by region, followed by the European Union.

ACCENT

China’s imports of rare earth elements, meat, cosmetics and machinery fell sharply in the first half of the year, customs data showed. During this time, however, imports of iron ore and oil increased.

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Amid slower domestic growth, Beijing has sought to shore up its supplies of food and essential minerals to bolster national security.

In the first half of the year, China’s exports of furniture, home appliances, ships and automobiles rose. Exports of rare earths fell in value but rose in volume, the data showed.

China’s car exports rose 18 percent in volume last month from the same period last year, customs data showed.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

China’s exports rose 7.6% in May from a year ago in US dollar terms, but imports rose just 1.8% during that time.

Domestic demand remains weak. Consumer prices in China rose 0.2 percent in June from a year earlier, beating expectations, while producer prices met expectations, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday.

The core consumer price index, which strips out more volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.6% year-on-year in June, slightly slower than the 0.7% increase in the first six months of the year.

China’s National Bureau of Statistics is due to release second-quarter gross domestic product data and economic indicators for June on Monday.

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Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

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Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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