China's exports growth hits 2 year-low as virus curbs hit factories

FILE - Driverless vehicles move shipping containers at a port in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Chinatopix via AP, File)

BEIJING: China's export growth slowed to single digits, the weakest in almost two years, while imports barely changed in April as tighter and wider COVID-19 curbs halted factory production and crimped domestic demand, adding to wider economic woes.

Exports in dollar terms grew 3.9% in April from a year earlier, dropping sharply from the 14.7% growth reported in March although slightly better than analysts' forecast of 3.2%. It was the slowest pace since June 2020.