Yiwu, Zhejiang AI Toy Exports Booming and Going Viral; Customer Unit Price Increases by 70%

Recently in “World Supermarket” Yiwu, toys equipped with artificial intelligence technology are becoming a new hot export item. With features like voice interaction, these “talking” toys are increasing in both sales and price in markets such as Europe, America, and Southeast Asia, becoming a new engine driving Yiwu’s export growth.

AI Toy Exports Booming and Going Viral, Customer Price Up 70%

At a toy shop in Yiwu Global Trade Center, foreign buyers are busy testing a toy called “K-Bao,” asking questions and observing its responses.

The merchant said that since this year, demand for companion toys with AI functions has significantly increased in markets like Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. Compared to traditional plush toys, these smart products have increased in customer price by about 60% to 70%, with notable improvements in added value and order stability.

Li Jun, a business owner at Yiwu Global Trade Center, Zhejiang: Since late last year, there has been a lot of interest in AI smart products, and many visitors come to inspect them. Its sales have increased three to four times compared to previous periods, selling about 500 to 600 units per month. Export markets include Southeast Asian countries and Europe and America, and we are continuously developing new markets.

AI toys are popular overseas, not only opening new profit margins for merchants but also reflecting China’s move towards higher value-added sectors. According to Yiwu Customs, in 2025, Yiwu’s toy exports will reach 25.63 billion yuan, a 20.1% increase. In this “world supermarket,” a small toy is witnessing the industry’s leap toward innovation.

From Watching Phones to Playing with AI: New Products Unlock New Consumption Trends

AI toys have not only successfully “gone abroad” but are also rapidly heating up in the domestic market. In Yiwu, many entrepreneurs are rushing to select products overnight, and parents are happy to pay for high-quality companionship for their children. Artificial intelligence is transforming from “black technology” into a beloved “new playmate” for kids.

In a toy store experience area in Yiwu, children are interacting with toys. From simple greetings to knowledge quizzes and storytelling, AI toys’ companionship functions are becoming more sophisticated.

Parent Bao Jiajia: In the past, buying toys was mainly for fun, but now I pay more attention to interaction and learning functions. Although the price is a bit higher than regular toys, if it can provide companionship and stimulate thinking, I think it’s better than just watching phones. We are still willing to pay for this kind of product.

The popularity of AI toys has attracted entrepreneurs from other regions to “grab the market.” Wang Fangqing from Huangshi, Hubei, plans to bring this “Zhejiang new specialty” back to Hubei and open a physical AI toy store through a combination of online and offline channels.

As a barometer of the global small commodities market, Yiwu is accelerating its shift from “manufacturing” to “technology-enabled” development. By embedding functions like voice models and emotion recognition into traditional toys, local toy merchants are not only expanding their consumer base but also enhancing product bargaining power and brand competitiveness.

Li Jun, a business owner at Yiwu Global Trade Center: In the past, the market mainly competed on price. Now, the main competition is on functions and experience. By integrating AI technology into products, we can attract higher-end customers, and our bargaining power is also increased.

(CCTV Reporter Wang Chen, Yang Shaopeng, Chen Menghao)

(Edited by Wen Jing)

Keywords: Toys