Chinese mobile phone manufacturers have had a strong start to the year, with exports for the three months to April 30 rising 14.9% on a year earlier, Panjiva data shows. That has been led by a 41.8% rise in shipments to the US. Shipments via Hong Kong actually fell 10.9%, possibly reflecting supply chain shifts as well as weaker demand in other Asian markets.

Chart segments Chinese exports of products categorized HS 8517.12 by destination Source: Panjiva

Among the largest manufacturers Pegatron led, with a 49.9% rise in exports in the past quarter on a year earlier. Number one exporter, Foxconn, saw increases rise 15.0% to take a 29.9% share of all shipments. Smaller brands including TCL and ZTE actually took a step back.

Data for exports from China of products categorized HS 8517.12, filtered by names of companies and known affiliates Source: Panjiva

Chinese-based manufacturers have not had it all their own way, however. Shipments to the U.S. by manufacturers in Vietnam – basically Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics – increased their exports by 15.6% in April. That followed a 39.9% drop in March. That may indicate a ramp-up in production of the Samsung S8 which launched in the U.S. on April 21.

At the same time, average handset values climbed 14.1% in April on a year earlier. That was led by a 65.2% rise in the value of each handset shipped from Taiwan to reach $245. The most likely cause is the production of the Google Pixel phone, produced in Taiwan by HTC.

Data for U.S. imports of phones under HS 8517.12. Upper panel shows customs value per unit, lower panel change in volumes imported  Source: Panjiva