Customs data shows China exported about USD 37.7 billion of lighting products in January-September 2026, down 0.7% year on year and equal to 1.7% of total mechanical and electrical exports. Volume and value moved apart: shipments kept growing while value slipped, making "more units, less money" the defining phrase of this year's lighting trade.
LED products now account for 75% of lighting exports, with conventional sources continuing to exit. By region, Africa reached about USD 2.8 billion, up 11% and the fastest-growing block; Europe came in at roughly USD 10.1 billion, up 1%; the United States stood at about USD 7.2 billion, down 5%, though the decline narrowed by 4 percentage points versus the first eight months, hinting at a restocking pickup.
By category, luminaires remain the base at USD 27.69 billion, but average prices keep falling; light sources totalled USD 4.17 billion, vehicle lighting USD 5.58 billion and portable lamps USD 1.94 billion. Falling unit prices arrived in the same year as rising certification and efficiency barriers.
For factories building downlights and spotlights for commercial projects, that combination leaves little room for volume-at-any-price strategies. KINXZO competes on three fronts: efficacy and optics (higher lm/W at the same wattage, tighter beam angles), dimmability and serviceability (0-10V or DALI interfaces, replaceable drivers), and compliant delivery (EU 2023/1542, ErP efficiency, complete CE and RoHS documentation).
Europe growing just 1% means the game there is no longer about new demand, but about whose position gets replaced. Whoever keeps certification files, lead times and consistency steady has the best chance of being chosen when a European customer switches supplier.