China: Men Knitwear Market 2025

Men Knitwear Market Size in China

In 2022, the Chinese men knitwear market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption saw a pronounced expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Men Knitwear Production in China

In value terms, men knitwear production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 163%. Men knitwear production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Men Knitwear Exports

Exports from China

In 2022, the amount of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) exported from China declined to X units, falling by -7.3% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports showed a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, men knitwear exports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X units), the Philippines (X units) and Japan (X units) were the main destinations of men knitwear exports from China, together accounting for 28% of total exports. Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Chile, Germany, Mexico and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Greece (with a CAGR of +24.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) exports from China, comprising 16% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 7.6% share of total exports. It was followed by the Philippines, with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States stood at +4.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (-2.4% per year) and the Philippines (+3.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average men knitwear export price amounted to $X per unit, rising by 9.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 64%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to South Africa ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Men Knitwear Imports

Imports into China

In 2022, overseas purchases of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) decreased by -19.3% to X units, falling for the fourth consecutive year after seven years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, men knitwear imports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 35%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Vietnam (X units) constituted the largest supplier of men knitwear to China, accounting for a 27% share of total imports. Moreover, men knitwear imports from Vietnam exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Cambodia (X units), twofold. Indonesia (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Vietnam amounted to +19.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cambodia (+17.1% per year) and Indonesia (+21.6% per year).

In value terms, Vietnam ($X) constituted the largest supplier of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) to China, comprising 22% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cambodia ($X), with an 8.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Vietnam totaled +26.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cambodia (+24.0% per year) and Indonesia (+21.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average men knitwear import price amounted to $X per unit, surging by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, men knitwear import price increased by +105.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Philippines ($X per unit), while the price for Bangladesh ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic People's Republic of Korea (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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