Macro trends
Chinese life-science instrument exports grew 18% YoY in 2025, driven by genomics, cell therapy, and lab automation demand. Domestic R&D investment is shifting upmarket.
Categories with falling prices
- Standard PCR and centrifuges (-8 to -12% YoY)
- Basic spectrophotometers (-5 to -10%)
Categories holding price
- Mass spectrometry (premium tier)
- Cell sorting and flow cytometry
- Automated liquid handlers
Buyer takeaway
For commodity instruments, the next 12 months favor buyers. For complex systems, focus on supplier quality, not just price.