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China Merino Wool Market Report Overview
The China merino wool market report states that the market size reached a volume of about 22.74 KMT in 2025. It is expected to expand further at a CAGR of roughly 0.80% in the forecast period of 2026-2035. The market size will be around 24.63 KMT by 2035.
Key Market Trends and Insights
- The China merino wool market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 0.80% through the forecast period, underpinned by rising consumer preference for sustainable premium fibres, the rapid expansion of sportswear and activewear, and China's dominant position as the world's largest wool processing and consumption hub.
- The worsted type category is anticipated to exhibit a steady CAGR over the forecast period, supported by demand from formal and performance apparel manufacturers seeking fine-count merino for suiting and base-layer applications.
- The woven application segment is anticipated to register a stable CAGR during the forecast period, reflecting consistent demand from formal wear and home textile manufacturers relying on woven merino fabric structures.
Market Size & Forecast
- Market Size in 2025: 22.74 KMT
- Projected Market Size in 2035: 24.63 KMT
- CAGR from 2026 to 2035: 0.80%
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Key Trends and Recent Developments
China's merino wool market is transitioning from a volume-driven fibre processing hub into a destination for premium, sustainability-led consumption. Millennial shoppers in Tier 1 cities are actively seeking traceable, performance-oriented merino garments, while domestic sportswear brands are racing to integrate the fibre into activewear lines. This dual shift in both brand strategy and consumer appetite is generating the category's most significant structural upgrade in a generation.
In February 2026, ANTA Guanjun debuted a 100% merino wool trail running series at the Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race, where elite athletes competed in custom-designed merino garments. The launch signals the growing integration of merino wool into China's performance sportswear market and validates demand for natural-fibre activewear.
In February 2026, The Woolmark Company and Tmall Innovation Center published the 2025 Wool Material Consumption Trends Insight White Paper, revealing that merino wool apparel sales in China rose 18% year-on-year in the 12 months to July 2025, with gross merchandise value up 58% and sportswear growing 119%.
In July 2024, IST Corporation, a Japan-based textile technology company, introduced advanced processing techniques for merino wool fabrics supplied to the Chinese market. The technology enhances softness, durability, and machine-washability, broadening the appeal of merino wool across casual and formal apparel categories in China.
In August 2023, Chinese womenswear brand Edition launched its first merino wool collection with full traceability of superfine wool sourced from Victoria, Australia. The initiative highlighted growing Chinese brand commitment to supply chain transparency and sustainable sourcing, directly addressing eco-conscious millennial demand in the China merino wool market.
China Processes 80% of Australian Wool, Anchoring Global Supply Chain Position
China purchases approximately 80% of all Australian wool for processing and retains roughly 50% at retail, making it the world's largest consumer. This structural role sustains the China merino wool market growth trajectory and gives Chinese manufacturers first access to premium-grade fibre in the forecast period.
Sportswear Segment Drives China's Fastest Merino Wool Growth
Merino wool sportswear GMV grew 119% on Tmall in the year to July 2025. Millennial consumers in Tier 1 cities are choosing merino for its moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and odour-resistant properties, making activewear the engine of China merino wool market trends across digital retail channels.
Government Carbon Neutrality Goals Reinforce Sustainable Fibre Demand
China's 14th Five-Year Plan and commitment to carbon neutrality before 2060 are accelerating fashion industry adoption of sustainable fibres. Merino wool's biodegradability and low-carbon credentials align with policy objectives, supporting steady long-term China merino wool market growth from both brand positioning and regulatory compliance angles.
E-Commerce Platforms Accelerate Consumer Access to Premium Merino Products
Tmall, JD.com, and Xiaohongshu are expanding the consumer base for premium merino wool products in China. The Tmall consumer base for merino wool apparel expanded 13% in the year to July 2025, demonstrating how digital discovery and online retail are central to the China merino wool market outlook through the forecast period.
Processing Innovation Broadens Merino Application Range
Advances in machine-washable treatments and fine-count blending are expanding merino wool into casualwear, home textiles, and technical apparel categories previously dominated by synthetics. This broadened end-use range supports incremental volume growth across both the apparel and home textile segments of the China merino wool market in the coming decade.
China Merino Wool Industry Segmentation
The report by Expert Market Research, titled "China Merino Wool Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035", offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Type
- Worsted
- Woollen
Key Insight: Worsted merino wool holds the dominant position by value in China's market due to its application in high-end suiting, performance base layers, and sportswear, where a finer, smoother yarn structure is preferred. Woollen merino caters to outerwear, knitwear, and home textile applications where bulk, warmth, and texture take precedence. Both types benefit from China's growing premiumisation trend, with worsted gaining share fastest as sportswear and formal wear categories expand.
Market Breakup by Weave Type
- Plain
- Twill
Key Insight: Plain weave merino fabric is the most widely used construction in the China merino wool market, favoured for its versatility across formal shirts, base layers, and lighter home textiles. Twill weave is preferred in suiting, performance outerwear, and structured casualwear due to its superior drape, durability, and resistance to wrinkling. As China's formal and business-casual apparel sectors recover and grow, demand for twill-woven merino fabric is expected to increase steadily.
Market Breakup by Application
- Woven
- Knitt
Key Insight: Woven merino applications serve the suiting, shirting, and outerwear segments, providing structured, smooth fabrics for formal and professional use. Knitted applications dominate in activewear, casual tops, base layers, and knitwear, and represent the fastest-growing application category as China's sportswear and athleisure sectors expand. The shift toward performance clothing is propelling knitted merino wool into mainstream retail and e-commerce channels.
Market Breakup by End Use
- Apparel
- Sports and Active Wear
- Formal Wear
- Casual Wear
- Others
- Home Textile
- Others
Key Insight: Apparel dominates end-use demand, accounting for the largest volume of merino wool consumption in China. Within apparel, sportswear and activewear are the fastest-growing categories, driven by millennial demand for natural performance fibres. Formal wear provides a stable, premium-priced market for fine-count worsted merino, while casual wear broadens consumer reach. Home textiles, including bedding and soft furnishings, represent a secondary but growing market as Chinese consumers invest in premium home comfort products.
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China Merino Wool Market Share
By type, worsted merino wool leads the market due to applications in high-value apparel and performance fabrics
Worsted merino wool commands the highest unit value in the China merino wool market, owing to its application in suiting, sportswear base layers, and performance activewear. The fine, combed yarn structure delivers the smoothness and comfort premium apparel brands require, making worsted the preferred input for value-added manufacturing. China's role as the world's leading worsted processing hub means the country imports and re-exports a significant proportion of Australian superfine merino through this category.
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Woollen merino meets demand from the outerwear, knitwear, and home textile segments where textured, bulkier constructions are preferred. Woollen segment growth is supported by casual wear expansion and home textile premiumisation, with brands increasingly communicating the biodegradability and sustainability credentials of natural wool to align with China's green consumption movement.
By weave type, plain weave dominates the market due to versatility across apparel and home textile applications
Plain weave merino fabric leads the China merino wool market by weave type, favoured for its versatility across formal shirts, base layers, and lighter home textiles. Its simple over-and-under construction delivers a smooth, even surface that suits both performance and lifestyle apparel categories. The broad applicability of plain weave across multiple end uses makes it the default specification for most domestic and export orders placed with Chinese merino processors.
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Twill weave is gaining share in the premium and formal apparel categories, valued for its superior drape, durability, and resistance to wrinkling. As China's business-casual and formal wear segments recover and expand, demand for twill-woven merino is increasing among brands targeting professional and office environments. In July 2024, IST Corporation introduced advanced merino processing techniques enhancing twill fabric softness and machine-washability, broadening twill's commercial range in the China merino wool market.
By application, woven merino leads the market driven by formal wear and structured apparel demand
Woven merino applications hold the largest share of the China merino wool market, serving the suiting, shirting, and structured outerwear segments with smooth, dimensionally stable fabrics. These applications benefit from China's established formal wear manufacturing base and its role as a major global exporter of woven merino fabric and garments. Consistent demand from domestic office wear and export channels sustains a reliable volume base for woven merino processing.
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Knitted merino is the fastest-growing application, propelled by the activewear and athleisure boom. The 119% year-on-year growth in merino wool sportswear gross merchandise value on Tmall in the 12 months to July 2025 reflects the scale of demand for knitted performance garments. In February 2026, ANTA Guanjun launched a 100% merino wool trail running series at the Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race, validating knitted merino's integration into China's performance sportswear market.
By end use, apparel dominates the market driven by sportswear growth and formal wear demand
Apparel is the primary end-use category in the China merino wool market, supported by both long-standing formal wear demand and the rapidly growing sportswear and activewear sector. Millennial consumers in Tier 1 cities are the primary growth engine, drawn by merino's moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and odour-resistant properties. In the 12 months to July 2025, merino wool sportswear gross merchandise value grew 119% on Tmall, demonstrating the scale of the activewear opportunity.
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Home textile is the secondary end-use category, encompassing bedding, throw rugs, and soft furnishings. Rising disposable income and the premium positioning of merino wool are encouraging Chinese consumers to invest in higher-quality home comfort products. The development of machine-washable merino treatments has lowered the barrier to home textile adoption and broadened the product range available to domestic brands.
Competitive Landscape
The China merino wool market is served by a combination of domestic textile manufacturers, vertically integrated processors, and international fibre suppliers competing on quality certifications, processing capability, and sustainability credentials. Domestic players leverage cost-efficient processing infrastructure and proximity to retail channels, while premium-tier players differentiate through Woolmark certification, traceability technology, and direct relationships with Australian wool growers.
Competition is intensifying as sportswear brands and fast-fashion retailers seek merino wool partnerships with manufacturers capable of rapid product development and high-volume consistent quality. Players with machine-washable treatment capabilities and e-commerce-ready supply chain integration are gaining competitive advantage.
MERINOTEX
A China-based merino wool specialist focused on processing and supplying high-quality worsted merino fabrics to domestic and international apparel brands. The company leverages direct Australian wool sourcing relationships and advanced finishing technologies to serve the premium and sportswear apparel segments.
Jiangsu Unitex Co., Ltd.
Founded and headquartered in Jiangsu province, Jiangsu Unitex is a vertically integrated textile manufacturer producing merino wool and blended fabrics for global apparel brands. The company's capabilities span spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing, enabling comprehensive control over product quality and delivery timelines.
Shanghai Solarwool Apparel Co., Ltd
Established in 2010 and headquartered in Shanghai's Xinzhuang Business District, Shanghai Solarwool specialises in machine-washable merino wool fabrics and knitwear. The company showcased its latest collection at PD Fair 2026, demonstrating its commitment to product innovation and growing presence in both domestic and export apparel markets.
Zhangjiagang Shepherd Inc.
A merino wool processor and fabric supplier based in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, focused on high-grade worsted and woollen merino products for apparel and home textile applications. The company supplies to domestic fast-fashion retailers and international brands seeking certified, traceable natural fibre inputs.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Key findings from the China Merino Wool Market Report
- Comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis spanning historical data from 2019 to 2025 across type, weave type, application, and end-use segments.
- Detailed segmentation by worsted and woollen type, plain and twill weave, woven and knitted application, and apparel versus home textile end use.
- Competitive landscape profiling major players such as MERINOTEX, Jiangsu Unitex, Shanghai Solarwool, and Zhangjiagang Shepherd, with strategies and recent developments.
- Assessment of value chain, SWOT, and Porter's Five Forces shaping the industry.
- Insights on sportswear-led apparel growth, China's wool processing dominance, sustainability policy tailwinds, and e-commerce channel expansion.
- Strategic guidance for apparel brands, fabric producers, Australian wool exporters, investors, and retailers evaluating opportunities in China's premium natural fibre market.
Why Choose Expert Market Research?
- Trusted by global clients for delivering accurate, data-driven market intelligence and dependable forecasts.
- Industry-validated reports produced by experienced analysts with deep knowledge of China's textile sector.
- Actionable insights that translate market complexity into clear strategic direction for product development and investment.
- Fully customisable research options tailored to individual business objectives and investment mandates.
Call to Action
Explore the full scope of the China merino wool market with our latest 2026 intelligence report. Understand why sportswear, sustainability credentials, and e-commerce expansion are reshaping demand, and where worsted processing, traceability investment, and activewear partnerships offer the strongest growth opportunities. Whether you are a fibre producer, fabric manufacturer, apparel brand, or investor, this report gives you the insight to make decisive moves. Download your free sample today and discover the opportunities across China's merino wool sector.
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*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
Key Questions Answered in the Report
In 2025, the market for merino wool attained a size of nearly 22.74 KMT.
The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 0.80% in 2026 and 2035.
The market is estimated to experience steady growth to reach 24.63 KMT by 2035
The increasing spending power among the middle-class population and the rapidly developing clothing industry are the key driving factors in the market.
Increasing demand for sustainable clothing with the rising environmental awareness of people is the major trend followed in the market.
The major regions in the industry are North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The types in the market include worsted and woollen.
Plain and twill are the different price categories available in the market.
The different applications in the market include woven and knit.
The end-users in the market include apparel and home textile.
The major players in the industry include MERINOTEX, Jiangsu Unitex Co., Ltd., Shanghai Solarwool Apparel Co., Ltd, and Zhangjiagang Shepherd Inc., among others.
Report Summary
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
|
| Breakup by Type |
|
| Breakup by Weave Type |
|
| Breakup by Application |
|
| Breakup by End Use |
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| Market Dynamics |
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| Competitive Landscape |
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| Companies Covered |
|
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