Notes on China’s Cable Connector Supply Chain and Production Export Data
I. Overview of the Supply Chain
China’s cable connector industry boasts a comprehensive and extensive supply chain system, covering multiple stages such as raw material supply, production manufacturing, and product sales.
Raw Materials: The primary raw materials include metals such as copper and aluminum, as well as polymer materials like plastics and rubber. China’s abundant mineral resources and well-developed chemical industry ensure a stable supply of raw materials. For instance, large domestic copper enterprises can consistently provide high-quality copper materials, meeting the demand for conductive materials in cable connector production.
Production Manufacturing**: Enterprises are widely distributed across the country. In coastal regions such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian, there are numerous cable connector manufacturers, such as Amphenol Electronics Assembly (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. and Rongwei Electric Co., Ltd. These companies possess strong technical capabilities and offer a wide range of products, including waterproof connectors, explosion-proof connectors, and cold-shrink/hot-shrink mid-span connectors. Additionally, regions like Shandong and Hebei also have many enterprises specializing in cable connector production, forming industrial clusters that help reduce production costs and improve efficiency.
Sales: In addition to the domestic market, products are extensively exported worldwide. Through e-commerce platforms (such as Alibaba), trading companies, and their own overseas sales channels, these products are promoted in the international market.
II. Overall Production and Export Data
(1) Production Data
China is one of the largest cable producers globally, with continuous growth in overall wire and cable production driving the increase in cable connector output. Although specific data on cable connector production is unavailable, the scale of wire and cable production provides an indirect reflection. In 2022, China’s wire and cable production reached approximately 59.27 million kilometers, an increase of 8.2% year-on-year. Analysts from the China Business Industry Research Institute predicted that wire and cable production would reach 62.03 million kilometers in 2023 and is expected to reach 65.31 million kilometers in 2024.
(2) Export Data
Scale and Trends: China plays a significant role in global wire and cable import and export trade. In 2021, China’s wire and cable export value reached $29.568 billion, a year-on-year increase of 29.83%. In 2022, the export value was $31.209 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.55%. However, there was a decline in 2023. From January to February 2025, Fujian Province’s wire and cable exports reached 1.81 billion yuan, setting a record high for the same period and showing a significant growth of 63.5%, indicating a positive development trend.
Export Regions: China’s cable connectors and related wire and cable products are sold in numerous countries and regions worldwide. Major export markets include the United States, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong (China), Vietnam, Mexico, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Germany. The Asian market accounts for a significant share, representing 51.12% of the total market. For example, Fujian Province exports wire and cable products to 163 countries and regions, with the United States, Hong Kong (China), and ASEAN being the top three export markets.
Export Provinces**: Provinces with leading export volumes include Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangdong. For instance, in November 2023, the top three provinces for copper wire and cable exports were Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, accounting for 22.32%, 16.69%, and 12.85% of the total export volume, respectively.
Cable Joint Market Survey Data
1. Market Overview
2023 Global Market Size: USD 12.5 billion
2025 Projected Market Size: USD 16.8 billion
CAGR (2023-2025): 16.3%
Application Distribution:
Power Industry: 42%
Telecommunications: 28%
Construction: 15%
Rail Transit: 8%
Others: 7%
Regional Share:
Asia-Pacific: 55%
Europe: 22%
North America: 18%
Others: 5%
2. Product Type Analysis
Market Share by Product:
Cold-Shrink Joints: 38%
Heat-Shrink Joints: 32%
Pre-Molded Joints: 25%
Others: 5%
Technology Trends:
Smart Monitoring Features: 65% of companies invested
Eco-Friendly Materials (e.g., halogen-free): 82% of products adopted
High/Voltage-Ultrahigh Voltage Development: 20%+ annual growth
3. Competitive Landscape
Leading Players & Market Share:
Company A (3M): 22%
Company B (ABB): 18%
Company C (Nexans): 15%
Others: 45%
Key Competencies:
R&D Leadership: 3M (most patents globally)
Reliability: ABB (failure rate <0.5%)
Cost Efficiency: Domestic Manufacturers (30-40% cheaper than international peers)
4. Growth Drivers
Policy Support:
Smart Grid Investment: China’s 14th Five-Year Plan allocates over CNY 2 trillion
Renewable Energy: 25% annual growth in global offshore wind installations
Demand Growth:
Urbanization: 12% annual increase in Asia-Pacific construction cable demand
5G Deployment: 18% growth in global telecom cables driven by base station expansion
5. Challenges & Risks
Raw Material Volatility: Copper prices fluctuated ±20% in 2023
Diverse Standards: Significant gaps between EU, China, and U.S. regulations
Intensified Competition: Domestic players leveraging low-cost strategies in mid-low end markets
6. Customer Insights
Purchase Criteria (Priority):
Product Quality: 78%
Price: 65%
Brand Reputation: 42%
Delivery Speed: 35%
After-Sales Satisfaction: 82% for international brands vs. 70% for domestic players
7. Future Projections (2025-2030)
Growth Hotspots:
HVDC Transmission: 25% annual growth
Submarine Cables: Demand driven by global offshore energy projects
Innovation Focus: Superconducting joints, nanomaterial applications
Data Sources:
Market Research Future, Global Market Insights
Company filings (3M, ABB, Nexans)
Policy documents (China State Grid, EU Green Deal)
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