The COVID-19 outbreak has hampered many businesses, but has triggered an unexpected surge in demand for refrigerators, microwave ovens and other kitchen appliances, as more people stay at home to cook.

Leading Chinese home appliances maker Galanz, for instance, said its sales revenue in the North American market has jumped 20 percent year-on-year in the first four months of 2020.

In this time frame, sales of its refrigerators and microwave ovens showed impressive numbers, surging more than 100 percent and 70 percent year-on-year respectively.

Liang Zhaoxian, chairman and president of Galanz, said despite the epidemic, the company's orders have increased. Orders from foreign markets have even maxed out some domestic production capacity at some points. This is a phenomenon that has not been seen in years.

According to him, orders for Galanz's self-branded refrigerators have booked through the third quarter of this year.

Rachel Zhuang, who is in charge of Galanz's marketing in North America, said due to the outbreak, consumers in the United States have to prepare food for more than one to two weeks, which has increased the demand for refrigerators.