Retail sales of high-end sport bicycles fell by roughly one-quarter in China in 2015, marking the third double-digit decline since such sales peaked in 2013, according to a market overview released by Messe Friedrichshafen last week on the first day of the sixth Asia Bike Show.

Sales of high-end sport bicycles, which are overwhelmingly imported from Taiwan, reached an estimated $133.9 million during the year, down 26.4 percent from a year earlier. The estimate is based on unit sales of 73,164, down 26.7 percent, or 27,372,  from 2014, and an average wholesale cost of $609 per unit, compared with $603 a year earlier.

Sales of high-end sports bikes have been falling steadily since 2013, when they peaked at 250,316 units and $255.3 million in receipts. Sales fell to 136,845 units in 2014.

Messe Friedrichshafen said the sixth annual Asia Bike Show drew 6,729 trade visitors and 1,901 consumers to the Nanjing International Expo Center September 13-15. Approximately 321 brands were on display at the show, which covered 35,000 square meters of exhibition space.

“Despite the challenging Chinese market situation right now we experienced a positive mood among international brands, with focus on mainland China market as well as Chinese brands with intention to make use of future business opportunities at Eurobike,” said Stefan Reisinger, head of Eurobike,  which wrapped up its show in Friedrichshafen in August. “Asia Bike made further progress acting as a chain link between Europe and China.”

According to the Asia Bike Show 2016 market overview, domestic bicycle production in China declined 3.3 percent to 80.3 million units in 2015, while bicycle exports fell 8.3 percent to 57.5 million. Sales of Chinese-made bicycles, however, grew 12 percent to 22.8 million. Average wholesale cost and retail price both rose 6.3 percent to $60 and $180 per unit, respectively.

“We see the China market as very important,” said Attie Slabbert, senior manager for Asia Pacific at Cycling Sports Group, which markets Cannondale, GT and other brands  in independent bicycle dealers. “Asia Bike in Nanjing is important enough for us to get all our dealers together. We have our dealer show here this year.”