China handset exports slide over 7% in 1H09

According to China's customs authority, handsets exported from the country in the first half of 2009 declined 7.2% sequentially and 7.7% on year to 230 million units, with the value totaling US$16.08 billion. The average price per unit was US$69.9, down by 0.5% on year.

The decline mainly stemmed from decreased demand in the global handset market amid the worldwide economic crisis, the authority said. China's monthly handset exports reached its lowest level in two years in January 2009 with 28 million units, but June exports totaled 46 million units.