Exporters run for high ground as China growth story unravels

Frankfurt

THE alarming scale of China's economic slowdown is pushing European exporters to accelerate a move into premium goods and services, sacrificing volumes if necessary to sustain margins.

As Chinese rivals gain expertise in areas from elevators to healthcare to sweeteners while unexpectedly weak demand exposes yet more unneeded supply, prices are falling even in areas foreign suppliers thought were insulated from local competition.