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Honghe knitwear designed for summer is shown in a boutique in Jiaxing. [Photo/Tide News]

A business matchmaking event for Honghe knitwear and Russian buyers was held in Xiuzhou district, Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on July 17, supporting diversification in international markets and fostering new foreign trade models.

Over 20 Russian textiles and apparel buyers engaged in direct negotiations with local suppliers of knitwear, down jackets, and double-sided wool fabrics. Exhibitors enthusiastically demonstrated their products and capabilities, overcoming language barriers with gestures and live demonstrations.

Jiaxing Hexin Fashion Co Ltd, which specializes in women's knitwear for the Russian market, reported that 40 percent of its orders came from Russia. The company aims to expand direct trade and reduce reliance on intermediaries through the "Mao Shan Pai" Platform — a global one-stop cross-border sourcing platform for sweaters.

Facing shifts in global demand, such as the decline of large-volume orders in favor of smaller batches, suppliers are adapting to stay competitive. Operators like Jiang Fayu from the Donggang Double-Sided Wool Trading Market see strong potential in Russia's cold climate for their winter apparel.

Since April, the "Mao Shan Pai" Platform has partnered with other regional fashion clusters and has organized commercial outreach programs to Russia and Central Asia.

Over 70 million Honghe knitwear pieces are exported to Russia annually, mostly through Guangzhou in Guangdong province and Yiwu in Zhejiang.

Now, local enterprises are aiming to establish more direct and efficient trade channels.