One in five sweaters worldwide comes from Dalang, and this production base is being redefined. On August 26, the Dalang National Foreign Trade Transformation Base (Apparel) held a sourcing fair in Shanghai, with 22 local enterprises showcasing full-category products and pet knitwear debuting on stage. This move signals that Dalang is no longer content with the role of a mere contractor; instead, it aims to present itself as a supply chain integrator, offering one-stop capabilities from yarn to garments to buyers in the Yangtze River Delta.
Background
Dalang's knitwear industry began in 1979 and now produces about 900 million sweaters annually, with total industry transactions exceeding 72 billion yuan. With 150,000 computerized flat knitting machines running around the clock and over 2,000 yarn enterprises selling millions of tons of yarn each year, the region boasts a complete vertical division of labor. The choice of Shanghai for this fair targets the core consumer and trade window of the Yangtze River Delta, reflecting a strategic shift from passive waiting to proactive outreach.
The fair featured dedicated negotiation areas where buyers and suppliers could examine samples face-to-face, facilitating the conversion of samples into bulk orders. This precise matching model shortens the procurement decision chain, especially beneficial for small and medium-sized knitwear enterprises that lack the resources to independently develop markets. Meanwhile, the event interpreted key stitch patterns, colors, and application details for the 27/28 season and shared AI-aided design tools, helping factories lock in development directions for the next season.
Industrial Impact
The debut of pet knitwear was a highlight. Mature techniques such as chunky knit, fine knit, and jacquard were extended to pet apparel, showcasing Dalang's cross-sector innovation. The pet economy is heating up, and knitted pet clothing has become a new growth point, but this category demands higher design, sampling, and small-batch rapid response capabilities. Dalang's flexible manufacturing base aligns well with these needs, and if standardized product lines can be established, it may open a niche market.
From an industry perspective, the fair signals a shift in regional brand competition from pure price wars to comprehensive capability demonstration. Buyers no longer focus solely on unit price but consider supply chain responsiveness, design added value, and process stability. By showcasing products like colored spun yarn, worsted wool, and smart temperature-regulating functional yarn, Dalang aims to implant the positioning of a "full-chain service provider" in buyers' minds, helping to escape low-price involution and enhance pricing power.
For apparel brands and cross-border e-commerce buyers in the Yangtze River Delta, Dalang's production capacity and design capabilities are ready-made supply chain resources. Functional yarns, especially smart temperature-regulating ones, cater to the upgrading needs of outdoor and sportswear. However, cross-regional cooperation still requires addressing logistics lead times and communication costs. If Dalang can establish a permanent showroom or forward warehouse in Shanghai, it will further consolidate the outcomes of this fair.