Total trade between Ningbo and Africa exceeded US$914 million in January, showing a year-on-year increase of 14.5 per cent, Xinhua reported.

Imports from Africa stood at US$555 million while the exports came to US$359 million, representing increases of 2.5 per cent and 40.1 per cent respectively.

The major export items included electric products, textiles, and fashion products, in which, electric products, had the highest volume, accounting for US$106 million with a year-on-year growth of 34.8 per cent.

Imports mainly related to energy commodities. Ningbo imported US$544 million of petroleum in the first month, which accounted for 98 per cent of the total import figure with a year-on-year increase of 7 per cent.