by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

A journalist asked me this question: “Is China over, as a sourcing destination?”

My response was no… but it might be a destination for a different type of sourcing projects.

• No in the very short term, because supply chains can’t be dismantled and relocated easily–especially with so many importers having set up local buying offices and trained local staff.
• No in the longer term (10 years), because China will still have an advantage when cost and speed are factored in.

I gave it some thought, and I see three trends for China in the next 10 years.

Trend 1: changing mix of products

The Chinese manufacturing sector is going through a painful transition, from high-labor-content products (e.g. textile, shoes, decoration, toys) to more complex technologies (e.g. industrial goods, cars, pharmaceuticals…).

I don’t mean that garments won’t be made in China any more, but that only high-quality garment factories will be competitive for export markets in 10 years. Others will be wiped out by the competition of other Asian countries, or will focus on the domestic market.

In the near future, China manufacturers will be competing against German exporters more often than against low-cost Vietnamese of Bangladeshi factories.

Trend 2: higher domestic consumption

China will consume a higher proportion of its industrial output. Many manufacturers have already noticed that margins are better when they sell on the domestic market. Young graduates don’t want to work in international trade as much as they used to.

The export business will not fall sharply, but it will slowly decline in proportion. Producing in China for selling in China will become more and more common, especially as local manufacturers develop their know-how and their technology, and as IP rights are better protected in local courts.

Trend 3: more factories in inner provinces

Chinese production base is slowly shifting to inland provinces, where labor, land, and electricity are cheaper. It will also become a necessity because the number of migrant workers willing to go to coastal areas is declining.

At the low- and medium-end, domestic consumers are very price-sensitive. There is no sense in producing for China’s market in places that are close to international ports, if costs are lower in less developed provinces.

It will also be a strategy to keep costs down and keep serving export customers. Manufacturers of components might relocate inland, while final assemblers will tend to stay along the coast.

Do you agree?

Renaud Anjoran is the founder of Sofeast Quality Control and helps importers to improve and secure their product quality in China. He writes advice for importers on the Quality Inspection blog. He lives full time in Shenzhen, China. You can contact him at info@sofeast.com.