Europe has been disrupted by intense heat and heatwaves, driving a sharp increase in demand for air conditioners. Chinese home-appliance companies are using China-Europe freight trains rather than conventional sea routes to supply the market faster, according to a report published on August 3, 2026. Major firms are seeking to move larger volumes in less time as demand rises across Europe.

At a special briefing, China’s National Development and Reform Commission said companies including Midea Group and Gree Electric Appliances had altered their logistics arrangements for faster air-conditioner deliveries. Sea shipments take about 40 days, compared with roughly 15 days by China-Europe freight train, reducing transport time by more than 60 percent. The report said Europe’s relatively limited local air-conditioner manufacturing capacity leaves much of its market dependent on Chinese production.

More than 80 percent of global air-conditioner production capacity is located in China’s Pearl River Delta, the report said. In the second quarter, the value of air conditioners and related parts carried by Guangzhou Railway Group’s China-Europe trains reached $52 million, with more than 100,000 complete units shipped. The rail network currently operates on 96 routes linking 236 cities in 26 European countries.