Chinese appliance manufacturers are experiencing significant growth in European air conditioner sales driven by an early-season heatwave that has hit Europe with temperatures climbing to unusually high levels. According to reports from Business Standard, Midea Group Co. could see consumer air conditioning sales in Europe grow by more than 20% year-on-year for the second quarter, as forecasted by Citigroup Inc. Haier Smart Home Co. is also expected to record double-digit growth for its European air-conditioner segment this year, which accounted for an estimated 20% of its regional business in 2025. The surge in demand comes as heat records were shattered across Europe in recent weeks, with indoor temperatures rising to uncomfortable levels. Despite ongoing trade tensions, many of the air conditioners being snapped up by sweaty European customers are made in China, which accounts for about 40% of global exports. Latest data from Euromonitor International shows that Chinese manufacturers Haier, Gree and Midea are projected to account for a combined 32% of the European retail market by sales volume.
The early heatwave has triggered unprecedented demand for Chinese cooling products, with some retailers experiencing sales surges of nearly 40 times during the June 19-25 heatwave compared with the first week of June. According to Xinhua, Midea's PortaSplit mobile split air conditioner has notched up sales of more than 200,000 units in Europe this year, doubling from a year earlier. The product has maintained robust sales momentum across the European market, with consumer demand far outstripping projections. Midea's total air-conditioner sales in Western European markets including Germany, France, Spain and Britain rose more than 70% year on year in the first half of 2026. The demand is so intense that some buyers are driving hundreds of kilometers only to find prices hiked by 100 euros, with some developing websites specifically to track real-time store inventories. As reported by Xinhua, air-conditioner sales surged nearly 40 times during the June 19-25 heatwave compared with the first week of June.
Foshan-based Midea has strategically positioned itself for the increased demand by stockpiling two to three times last year's inventory of portable split air conditioners ahead of the peak season, according to analysts led by Xiaopo Wei from Citigoup. As reported by Business Standard, this proactive approach demonstrates the company's anticipation of sustained summer demand. The portable units are particularly attractive to European consumers due to their instant installation capabilities and lower pricing compared to traditional split inverter units that are more common in the US and Asia. According to Xinhua, delivery lead times for home appliances have been shortened to just two to three weeks, positioning China well to respond to sudden demand spikes like Europe's unexpected heatwaves. The company spent three years developing the PortaSplit, which features an outdoor unit that fixes onto a window bracket with no drilling required, with the weight reduced to less than 10 kilograms allowing most adult users to install it by themselves.
The European market presents significant growth opportunities for Chinese appliance manufacturers, with only a fifth of European households having air conditioning, according to International Energy Agency data. Morningstar analyst Jeff Zhang expects strong demand for window-mounted air conditioners to drive year-on-year export sales growth for major Chinese manufacturers in summer months. The underpenetrated market, combined with regulatory challenges around bulkier wall-mounted units, creates a favorable environment for portable air conditioner manufacturers. According to Xinhua, Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, but only 20% of European households have air conditioning, with air conditioners becoming a 'survival necessity' rather than a luxury item. Despite ongoing trade tensions, the 40% share of global exports that China holds in the air conditioner market demonstrates its competitive positioning. The European market faces structural barriers including installation fees that can exceed 1,000 euros, strict noise regulations, and public concerns about energy consumption, making Chinese products with lower energy consumption and compliance with local regulations particularly attractive.
Chinese manufacturers have developed innovative cooling products specifically tailored for European markets, demonstrating their manufacturing capabilities beyond simple product duplication. Haier has responded to Germany's strict nighttime noise control rules by lowering the minimum operating noise of its air conditioners to 18 decibels, described as 'roughly the volume of turning pages in a quiet library'. At Ningbo Heallux International Trading Co., workers are packing tower fans fitted with intelligent display screens, a product that has become a best-seller in Europe with exports surging roughly 60% from last year between January and May. According to Xinhua, the exported Chinese cooling products are embedded with distinct low-carbon features right from the design phase, as China has been continuously lifting energy efficiency access thresholds to reduce carbon emissions. The products are coupled with the country's distributed renewable energy systems including photovoltaic and energy storage facilities, helping transform emergency cooling needs into long-term solutions that drive energy transition and boost climate resilience.
