Surge in Refrigerator Sales in China... A Desperate Measure to Stockpile Food Ahead of Lockdowns

Guangdong Province, Shanghai and Other Cities See Explosive Sales of Refrigerators and Freezers
China Maintains Zero-COVID Policy Including Lockdowns... Food Hoarding Expected to Follow

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Refrigerator sales in China have surged, and home appliance companies are enjoying an early boom.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The region where refrigerator sales have surged is Guangdong Province, the wealthiest neighborhood in China. Residents of Guangdong, witnessing the food shortage situation in Shanghai due to city lockdowns, are rushing to buy refrigerators. Shanghai has also seen a significant increase in refrigerator sales since the beginning of this month.

According to Chinese media such as Xinlang.com and Zhonghua.com on the 13th, refrigerator sales in major Guangdong cities including Guangzhou, Shaoguan, Yunfu, Qingyuan, and Shenzhen increased by 156% compared to the previous year from the 7th to the 9th.

Chinese media explained that recent refrigerator sales in Guangdong Province are comparable to those during Guanggunjie (China's version of Black Friday, November 11).

Also, as Guangdong health authorities recently strengthened quarantine measures, local residents are purchasing additional refrigerators, analyzing that the spread of COVID-19 is stimulating residents' food hoarding mentality.

In Shanghai, where some lockdowns have been eased, refrigerator demand is exploding. Orders for refrigerators this month have increased by 153% compared to the same month last year. Chinese media reported that sales of not only large-capacity refrigerators but also household freezers have significantly increased.

A Chinese media outlet reported that residents in areas where lockdowns have been lifted are first purchasing refrigerators or freezers, stating that residents who suffered difficulties due to lockdowns are buying refrigerators to stockpile food.

As Chinese authorities reiterate their commitment to the zero-COVID policy based on lockdown measures, the purchasing behavior of refrigerators and freezers among Chinese people is expected to spread nationwide.

Moreover, the possibility of price instability following food hoarding is increasing, suggesting that Chinese society will experience considerable turmoil for some time.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ma Xiaowei, director of the National Health Commission, said at a press briefing yesterday, "The essence of the zero-COVID policy means being fast and accurate," adding, "Only by quickly finding and eliminating infection sources can large-scale infections be prevented." He further indicated that "the Omicron virus could cause more deadly mutations," suggesting that existing quarantine policies will be maintained.

Wu Zunyou, chief researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized, "The zero-COVID policy is the best choice at this stage," and added, "Since the Wuhan outbreak in 2020, China has controlled and eradicated the epidemic through physical isolation." He also noted that the zero-COVID policy requires full public support and effort, making it a policy that cannot be used by other countries.

Meanwhile, Chinese state media such as Xinhua News Agency and Global Times have published articles supporting the authorities' zero-COVID policy, stating that the Chinese-style quarantine policy of early detection, early reporting, early isolation, and early treatment has been successful so far.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.