SHANGHAI, Dec. 4 -- The Christmas goods exported from a small city in Zhejiang Province has jumped significantly this year to account for half of the gifts that Santa Claus will soon be handing out.

Yiwu City, a heaven for the small commodities trade in China, exported US$37.90 million of Christmas products in the first 10 months of this year, jumping 42.6 percent from a year earlier, with the total volume hitting 9,869 tons, surging 35.5 percent.

The export volume reached a peak in September at 2,200 tons, worth US$10 million, since the volume began growing in May.

Ninety-nine countries imported Christmas goods from Yiwu this year, 20 more than a year earlier, including the United States, Russia, Germany, Mexico, Singapore and Kenya.

A merchant in Yiwu said they offer a rich choice of Christmas products, of good quality and low prices, which are the main reasons they attract so many buyers.

Ye Zhanqing, a sales adviser in China-Africa trade association, said African countries contributed a lot to the sharp growth, especially Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal.