China exporters expect tough times as costs rise, demand falters: poll

Guangzhou

MORE than half of China's exporters expect a trade slowdown to last at least six months as production costs climb and European demand weakens, according to a Reuters survey at the country's biggest trade fair.

On the opening day of the biannual Canton Fair in the Pearl River Delta, the workshop of the world, the cavernous halls were filled with international buyers, but many, especially Europeans hit by a weaker euro, appeared to be ordering fewer goods and haggling hard with manufacturers.