In June 2026, the most severe and widespread extreme heatwave on record swept across the European continent. Germany broke its historical high-temperature record for two consecutive days (June 26-27), reaching 41.5°C; Paris, France, recorded an outdoor temperature of 45°C on June 25; and the UK saw its high-temperature records broken for three consecutive days (June 24-26). According to AFP estimates, nearly 200 million people in Europe were exposed to temperatures above 35°C on June 27 alone. On June 28, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that over 1,300 excess deaths in Europe since June 21 were linked to the heatwave.
However, only about 20% of households across Europe have air conditioning installed. The abundance of historic buildings, cumbersome installation approvals, costs ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 euros, and wait times exceeding two months during summer—all these factors have made air conditioning difficult to widely adopt. When temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, the vast majority of European households can only rely on electric fans to cope.
The PortaSplit mobile split-type air conditioner under Midea's brand has sold out in multiple European markets, becoming one of the biggest winners.
Why can Midea's products sell like hotcakes in Europe? The answer lies in their product design. Addressing the pain points of European old apartment buildings that cannot be drilled for installation and historical buildings that cannot have their exteriors damaged, Midea introduced a mobile split-type air conditioner that requires no drilling or installation—the outdoor unit can be placed on balconies or windowsills, while the indoor unit can be freely moved, delivering cooling performance close to traditional split systems. With an official price of 700 to 800 euros in Germany, the overall cost is significantly lower than traditional split air conditioners plus installation fees.
Currently, Midea's air conditioner factory in Shunde, Guangdong, is working overtime to produce this "hit" model, which is being urgently shipped to Europe via the China-Europe Railway Express. According to Midea's overseas air conditioner business head, the group has seen strong sales growth in Western Europe this year, with year-on-year increases exceeding 70% in traditional low-coverage countries such as France, Spain, Germany, and the UK.
Customs data confirms this "air conditioner tsunami"—in the first half of 2026, China's air conditioner exports to the EU reached $3.76 billion, a 43.2% year-on-year increase, hitting a record high. Among these, China's air conditioner exports to France, the Netherlands, and Belgium all more than doubled compared to the previous year.
Experts point out that extreme heat in Europe during summer is shifting from "exceptional" to "routine." As global warming persists, the European cooling equipment market is expected to experience sustained and structural growth. For Midea and China's air conditioning industry, this heatwave is not only a sales boom but also a strategic opportunity to unlock the European market.
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