China's Top Three Sweater Manufacturing Regions

China stands as a global powerhouse in sweater production, supplying top-quality products to fashion brands and retailers across the globe. Whether it's luxury high-end knitwear or affordable everyday pieces, Chinese manufacturers cater to a wide range of market needs. Through constant innovation and large-scale production, they have become a backbone of the global apparel industry. For businesses looking to partner with sweater factories or seeking custom sweater manufacturing, understanding the primary sweater production regions in China is crucial.

This article introduces China's three leading sweater manufacturing regions, providing insights into each area's specialties and advantages to help you find the most suitable supplier for your needs.

Ⅰ. Dongguan, Guangdong 

1.1 Overview

Dongguan has been a key player in China's manufacturing industry for many years, especially in the textile and apparel sectors. With its robust production capacity and highly integrated supply chain, Dongguan has emerged as a leading hub for global sweater manufacturing. Known as the "world's factory," Dongguan not only excels in production but also leads the way in innovation and setting industry standards.

1.2 Industry Strengths

Dongguan’s main strength lies in its ability to efficiently manage large-scale orders, thanks to its advanced equipment and cutting-edge technology. The city’s well-established sweater industry cluster features a complete supply chain. In Dongguan, you’ll find every type of computerized knitting machine imaginable, along with a wide variety of yarns. With countless sweater factories and yarn suppliers gathered here, Dongguan has become one of the fastest and most versatile sweater production centers in the world. Whether you're a brand owner or a wholesaler, you’ll find the right manufacturing partner in Dongguan.

1.3 Leading International Brands

Fast fashion giants like H&M, Uniqlo, and Zara have most of their production outsourced to Dongguan.
Additionally, high-end brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren produce most of their non-cashmere sweaters here as well.
Due to Dongguan's incredible production speed, U.S. retail chains such as Walmart and Nordstrom also source nearly all of their sweaters from this region.

1.4 Logistics and Location

Dongguan benefits from an advanced logistics infrastructure, strategically located in the Pearl River Delta. With Guangzhou and Shenzhen just 50 kilometers away—reachable in under an hour—Dongguan offers highly convenient export options. Goods are quickly shipped worldwide via the ports of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, making Dongguan a preferred manufacturing hub for international brands.

Ⅱ. Shantou, Guangdong

2.1 Overview

Shantou is best known for its lingerie production, but in recent years, a growing number of sweater factories have emerged, primarily focusing on coarse-knit and hand-crocheted sweaters.

2.2 Industry Strengths

Although Shantou isn't traditionally recognized as a sweater manufacturing hub, its long-standing experience in the lingerie industry—especially its partnerships with international brands—has helped its sweater sector grow rapidly. Most of Shantou's sweater production centers on coarse-knit and hand-crocheted items. With a large pool of affordable labor, Shantou’s hand-crocheted sweater techniques are among the best globally. This has also led to significant advancements in coarse-knit sweater production technology.

2.3 Leading International Brands

Top international lingerie brands like Victoria's Secret and Calvin Klein often choose to produce their knitted sweaters in Shantou, ensuring close collaboration with their existing manufacturers.

2.4 Logistics and Location

Located in eastern Guangdong, Shantou may not have economic giants like Guangzhou or Shenzhen nearby, but its coastal position offers direct access to ports, making it easy to ship goods worldwide.

Ⅲ. Zhejiang - Tongxiang

3.1 Overview

Tongxiang, particularly Puyuan Town, is China’s largest wool sweater manufacturing hub. The city’s cashmere and wool products are highly regarded both domestically and internationally. Its favorable location has made it a preferred production site for many high-end fashion brands.

3.2 Industry Strengths

Tongxiang specializes in producing high-quality cashmere and wool sweaters. The factories and skilled workers in the region have a wealth of experience, making the area highly competitive, especially for high-end brands. Like Dongguan, Tongxiang boasts a complete supply chain, making it ideal for large-scale production of luxury cashmere and wool garments.

3.3 Leading International Brands

High-end brands such as Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and Loro Piana trust Tongxiang for the production of their premium cashmere and wool sweaters.

3.4 Logistics and Location

Located in the Yangtze River Delta, Tongxiang benefits from excellent transportation and logistics infrastructure. With Hangzhou and Shanghai nearby, goods can be efficiently exported worldwide through the ports of Shanghai and Ningbo.

 

Comparison of the Three Major Manufacturing Hubs

     1. Production Capacity

• Dongguan: Specializes in efficiently managing both large and small orders, offering a wide range of styles, with some of the fastest production times globally.
• Shantou: Focuses on coarse knit and hand-crocheted sweaters, well-suited for large-scale, cost-effective production.
• Tongxiang: Famous for producing luxury wool and cashmere products, perfect for custom orders from high-end brands.

2. Market Positioning

• Dongguan: Primarily caters to fast fashion and luxury brands, known for its flexible production capabilities.
• Shantou: Mainly serves lingerie and homewear brands, focusing on coarse knit and hand-crocheted sweater orders.
• Tongxiang: Targets the high-end market, producing premium quality cashmere and wool sweaters.

3. Logistics and Location

• Both Dongguan and Tongxiang are located in China’s major economic hubs, offering convenient transport and easy access for brand representatives.
• All three hubs are close to ports, providing efficient global shipping options.

 

How to Choose the Right Manufacturing Hub for Your Brand

 

1. Identify Your Brand’s Needs
   If your brand specializes in cashmere or wool products, Tongxiang is the ideal choice, with its factories boasting extensive expertise in these materials. For coarse knit or hand-crocheted sweaters, Shantou would be a better fit. If you don’t have such specific needs, Dongguan offers a versatile solution, capable of managing a variety of sweater orders.
2. Consider Your Brand’s Pricing Strategy
   Luxury brands should opt for Tongxiang, where the production costs are higher but reflect the premium quality. Shantou offers the lowest production costs but doesn’t match the quality of Dongguan and Tongxiang, making it more suitable for coarse knit and hand-crocheted items. Dongguan is a great option for most brands, offering extensive production experience at a more reasonable cost.
3. Logistics and Production Speed
   Dongguan and Tongxiang are both strategically located, providing convenient logistics and fast shipping. While Shantou’s transport infrastructure is slightly less advanced, the difference is minimal. In terms of production speed, Tongxiang’s high-end cashmere sweaters take longer to produce due to their intricate craftsmanship, while Shantou’s slower production is due to a less developed supply chain.

Conclusion

This article has provided a brief overview of the key characteristics of China’s three main sweater manufacturing regions. When choosing a manufacturing partner, it’s essential for businesses to consider their brand’s specific needs, product types, and budget to select the most suitable hub. Although Shantou may have lower overall capabilities, it excels in specialized areas, and many brands have found reliable partners there. If you’re in search of a quality sweater manufacturer, you can also consider working with us at Papagarment.