Market: Sales of home appliances soar in rural China

Sales of refrigerators rose greatly in May 2010: 5.8 million refrigerators and water heaters were 20% higher than in May compared with April 2010 and reached USD 1.8 billion in value. A total of 26.6 million appliances were sold during the period January-May 2010, representing USD 8 billion and 300% growth in terms of units and a 400% increase in terms of value compared with 2009. Sales of air-conditioning units were expected to rise considerably in July-August. JARN, July 26, 2010