Models showcase new sweater designs at the China International Fashion Fair 2019 in Shanghai on March 12. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Puyuan town in Tongxiang, Zhejiang province, China's largest wool clothing production base, is expanding its presence in the global sweater market with new fashion designs.

Every year, approximately 700 million sweaters produced in Puyuan are sold to more than 20 countries and regions around the world. However, in the past, most of the exported wool products were very basic with low-profit margins.

Su Weiming, Party chief of the town, said that in recent years, Puyuan, home to over 5,000 sweater manufacturers, has introduced nearly 600 fashion talents, including a group of professional designers from Italy, South Korea and Japan. Targeting the international market, Puyuan is on its way to becoming a global cluster for industries related to fashion and knitting.

European market prefers products with printed patterns and beads rather than basic designs. Shen Qiang, general manager of a garment company in Puyuan, said they have invested more than 4 million yuan ($582,000) into the design sector, which has successfully increased orders from Europe. Since the beginning of 2019, the company has sold over 3 million sweaters to European countries, with sales and profits up more than 15 percent.

Visitors flock to the Puyuan booths at the China International Fashion Fair 2019 in Shanghai on March 12. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]