China's Cutting Tool Exports Hit RMB 26.03 Billion in 2025; Tapping Tools RMB 1.047 Billion
Created on 09.17
China confirmed its position as a major global manufacturer and exporter of cutting tools in 2025—while the data also exposes a persistent value gap versus imports.
Export Scale
Full-year 2025 cutting tool exports reached RMB 26.034 billion, up 1.48% year-on-year—a sharp slowdown from 9.8% growth in 2024. The first three quarters totaled RMB 20.001 billion (+5.34%), indicating weaker momentum in the second half. The industry expects 2026 market size of RMB 57.66 billion, with exports likely exceeding RMB 29 billion.
Export Mix (2025, RMB billion)
- Drills: 9.193 (35.3%)
- Circular saw blades: 4.41
- Interchangeable tools: 2.501
- Inserts: 2.967 (coated 2.163; uncoated 0.804)
- Milling cutters: 2.60
- Tapping tools: 1.047
- Superhard hole-machining tools: 0.759 (+100.57% YoY)
Superhard material tools surged, signaling high-end breakthroughs. Coated and uncoated inserts both slipped slightly, pointing to intensifying low-to-mid-end competition.
Where They Go
Top destinations: Russia, India, Germany, South Korea, the United States, Turkey and Vietnam. Demand from emerging markets—Mexico, Southeast Asia—kept growing.
The Value Gap
Export value was 2.95× import value in 2025. But import unit prices dwarf export prices: the average import price of taps was 8.1× the export price; coated inserts 3.31×. Japan supplied 74.22% of uncoated insert imports.
Why It Matters
Chinese tap makers win on volume and cost, yet the 8.1× price gap shows the premium segment is still imported. For exporters, the path up is coating technology, consistency and brand—not just price.
Sources: Siji Industrial, "Current Status of China's Cutting Tool Exports in 2025" (Apr 10, 2026).
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