China’s exports surprisingly increased in March, owing to high shipments of solar items, new-energy vehicles, and lithium batteries, as supply chain circumstances improved following the COVID standstill.

Meanwhile, imports declined less than predicted, with economists pointing to an increase in agricultural commodity purchases, particularly soybeans, as providing some assistance.

Exports increased 14.8 percent year on year in March, halting a five-month slump and outperforming experts’ forecasted 7.0% drop. Imports fell 1.4%, less than the 5.0% loss predicted and the 10.2% contraction in the preceding two months.