policy trade
China Fish 2026 Opens as Middle East Conflict Sparks Industry-Wide Concern Over Costs and Supply Chains
China Fish 2026 Opens Against Backdrop of Middle East Crisis
China Fish 2026 — one of the world’s major fishing tackle trade shows — opened at the New China International Exhibition Centre in Beijing on February 28, 2026. The show coincided with the beginning of US and Israeli military action against Iran, casting a shadow over what is normally the industry’s most important annual gathering of Chinese manufacturers and international buyers.
The conflict immediately had exhibitors and attendees pondering its potential effect on the fishing tackle supply chain.
Industry Leaders Speak Out
Freddie Lai — FirstDart OEM Line Manufacturer
Freddie Lai, of OEM fishing line manufacturer FirstDart, told Angling International that the war added a layer of uncertainty to an already challenging market:
“There is some concern as to how the war will pan out in the coming weeks and the anticipation that the situation in the Middle East could result in increasing material costs. The problems in the region are making the global situation worse.”
FirstDart, a specialised OEM line manufacturer, found that despite the lower visitor numbers, those who attended were genuine buyers — making it a productive show for the company.
“The mood could have been pessimistic bearing in mind the low turn-out of visitors, but for FirstDart it was business as usual. Those who did attend seemed to be genuine buyers so it was a successful show for us.”
Scott Xu — BKK Hooks Chief Marketing Officer
Scott Xu, Chief Marketing Officer at BKK (Black King Kong) Hooks — the world’s second-largest fishing hook manufacturer headquartered in Poyang, Jiangxi — confirmed that the geopolitical situation was widely discussed among exhibitors:
“The potential impact of the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving Israel and Iran, and how they could affect oil prices and global transportation costs was a subject that was widely discussed.
While companies remain focused on growth and innovation, there is also an awareness of external factors that may influence supply chains and logistics.”
Xu noted that BKK welcomed more than 200 companies from over 30 countries and regions during the three-day show, describing the interactions as valuable conversations with distributors, partners, and brand owners.
“Compared to previous years, the show felt quieter in terms of visitor volume. However, over the three days we welcomed more than 200 companies from over 30 countries and regions which created valuable conversations with distributors, partners and brand owners across different markets.
In many ways the show was more about quality interactions and long-term collaborations rather than just foot traffic. China Fish continues to be one of the most important global meeting points for the fishing tackle industry and for us it remains a key opportunity to connect with the international community.”
Wang Qian Gang — Weihai Hanhigh Rod Manufacturer
Wang Qian Gang, owner of OEM rod manufacturer Weihai Hanhigh, struck a more cautious tone, directly linking the conflict to broader economic concerns:
“Generally speaking, there was not much optimism around. As news unfolded regarding the war in the Middle East during the show, people became more concerned about the economic prospects.
“I have the same feelings as many others. The world is becoming more and more uncertain with rising inflation and tariffs. The weakness of the global market is a major challenge and it will take some time to recover.”
Impact on the Chinese Tackle Industry
The confluence of factors affecting the Chinese fishing tackle industry at the time of China Fish 2026 included:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Middle East conflict | Potential oil price spikes → increased raw material and logistics costs |
| US-China tariffs | Reduced competitiveness of Chinese-made tackle in the American market (~20% of China’s tackle exports) |
| Global inflation | Weakened consumer demand in key Western markets |
| Rising transportation costs | Container shipping rates affecting FOB pricing for OEM buyers |
| Lower show attendance | Fewer visitors but higher-quality buyer interactions |
Despite the headwinds, Chinese manufacturers continued to launch new products and invest in innovation. The show demonstrated the resilience of the supply chain — even as geopolitical and economic pressures mounted.
Outlook
The events at China Fish 2026 serve as a barometer for the Chinese tackle industry. While short-term uncertainties from the Middle East conflict may pressure material costs and logistics, the underlying manufacturing capability and innovation pipeline remain strong. Chinese OEM suppliers continue to offer the world’s broadest range of fishing tackle production, and the industry is adapting through market diversification — reducing reliance on any single export destination.
For international buyers, the key takeaway is that Chinese manufacturers are navigating multiple headwinds simultaneously, and long-term partnerships with verified factories offer the most stable sourcing relationships in a volatile global environment.
Sources: Angling International (March 2026), China Fish 2026 exhibitor coverage, industry analysis.
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