China Sweater & Knitwear Export Report 2025–2026: Volume, Value and Global Buyer Insights

China is the world's largest exporter of knitwear and sweaters, and for global fashion brands, understanding the real export numbers is essential for sourcing decisions, pricing strategy and supply-chain planning. This report compiles the latest official trade data from China Customs and industry associations to answer one question: how much knitwear does China actually export each year?

China's Total Textile & Apparel Exports (2025)

According to China Customs fast statistics, in 2025 China's total textile and apparel exports reached US$293.77 billion, down 2.4% year-on-year in US-dollar terms. Within this total:

• Textile exports: US$142.58 billion (+0.5%)
• Apparel (garment) exports: US$151.18 billion (-5.0%)

In RMB terms, 2025 textile and apparel exports totalled approximately RMB 2.1 trillion.

The value decline in 2025 was driven mainly by falling unit prices and a complex global trading environment, rather than by falling volumes. In fact, knitwear garment export volumes continued to grow — a pattern China's industry calls "量增价跌" (volume up, price down).

2026 Momentum: A Strong Rebound

Trade data for 2026 points to a clear recovery:

• H1 2026: China's textile and apparel exports reached US$145.96 billion, up +1.4% year-on-year, one of the highest H1 levels on record. June alone grew +7.2%.
• Q1 2026: Wool (animal fibre) products and raw materials exports reached US$2.39 billion, up +1.7%. Animal-fibre garment exports alone were about US$1.1 billion, +4%.
• H1 2026 cashmere exports: Cashmere raw materials and products totalled US$728 million, up +7.96%.

Knitwear-Specific Volumes

Knitwear falls mainly under HS chapter 61 (knitted or crocheted apparel), which includes sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, T-shirts and knit tops. Key patterns:

• Knitted garment export volumes grew by over 12% in recent annual comparisons, even as values softened.
• Wool sweaters and cashmere knitwear remain the premium segment, with steady demand from Europe, the US, Japan and Korea.
• In Q1 2026, exports to the EU grew 15.4% (US$370 million), led by strong growth across major wool product categories — a positive signal for European buyers sourcing sweaters from China.
• Exports to India also surged (+34.2%), driven by rising demand for wool top and premium knitwear inputs.

Why Volumes Matter for Buyers

For importers and fashion brands, the "volume up, price down" dynamic is an opportunity:

The Dalang Advantage

The vast majority of China's export sweaters come from the Guangdong cluster — and the town of Dalang (大朗), Dongguan, is known as the "World Knitwear Capital." Dalang alone hosts thousands of knitting factories, yarn suppliers and finishing workshops, giving buyers:

• Faster sampling and production turnaround
• A complete local supply chain (yarn → knitting → finishing → packing)
• Competitive pricing through ecosystem efficiency
• Access to the latest yarns and knitting technologies

Bottom Line for Global Buyers

China exports roughly 300 million-plus garments annually when including all knitwear categories, with sweaters and knit tops representing the single largest volume segment. For 2026, the outlook is positive: volumes are rising, the EU and emerging markets are expanding, and Chinese manufacturers like LINFAIR are investing in smart knitting, AI rapid prototyping and sustainable yarns to serve global buyers better.

FAQ: How much does China export in knitwear each year?

While precise sweater-only volumes vary by customs classification, China is consistently the world's No.1 knitwear exporter. In 2025, total apparel exports were US$151 billion, of which knitwear (HS 61) accounts for roughly half by volume. With volumes growing double digits and a recovering 2026 market, China's position as the world's knitwear factory remains unchallenged.

*Sources: China Customs (海关总署), China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), China Wool Textile Association. Figures are latest available as of August 2026.*