2026 Commercial Kitchen Equipment Price Forecast: 2 Key Drivers of Potential Hikes

Last day of 2025! Happy New Year in advance to all partners and foreign trade colleagues!

As we welcome the new year, many catering industry entrepreneurs and procurement managers are wondering about 2026 commercial kitchen equipment prices. Based on key market variables, my conclusion: prices are likely to rise. Here are the two core drivers directly affecting your procurement costs:

1. Surging Copper Prices: Core Cost Pressure on Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Copper is not an optional accessory but a core material determining equipment quality and durability. High-quality display cabinets, air curtain cabinets, freezers, and ultrasonic dishwashers all use full copper pipes (e.g., freezer refrigeration coils), which offer superior thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance to iron pipes. Rising copper prices will inevitably push up production costs, eventually leading to higher end prices.

2. RMB Appreciation: Higher USD Costs for Foreign Trade

As shown in Figure 2, the USD/CNY exchange rate has declined steadily in 2025, breaking below 7.0 today. Institutions forecast continued RMB appreciation in 2026, with a yearly range of 6.7-7.2 and a potential end-of-year level near 6.7-6.8.

For foreign trade partners, this directly impacts costs: most transactions are settled in USD. A stronger RMB means fewer CNY per USD, forcing overseas buyers to pay more USD for the same equipment. In short, USD quotes for commercial kitchen equipment will rise to cover cost gaps.

Wishing you all a successful 2026! Feel free to share your thoughts or questions about commercial kitchen equipment procurement in the comments.