Zhengzhou is home to the largest women’s trousers production base in China, accounting for over half of the domestic market. In the industry, there is a saying: “To understand China’s women’s trousers, look to Zhengzhou.” Today, the Zhengzhou women’s trousers industrial belt comprises over 2,000 manufacturers of varying sizes and has given rise to more than 70 well-known domestic brands, such as Mengshuya, Yalida, and Yiyang.
With strong momentum for later development, Zhengzhou is undergoing a transformative phase in its economic growth. The women’s trousers industrial belt has now formed clusters including the Anyang knitted apparel cluster, Xinyang down apparel cluster, Zhoukou occupational workwear cluster, and Nanyang knitted sweater cluster. These clusters have accelerated industrial transfer and the development of garment processing trade, while also creating substantial employment opportunities.
Henan Province boasts a profound historical and cultural heritage and a massive consumer market of over 100 million people, providing a natural platform for Zhengzhou’s apparel industry to expand nationwide and establish itself in the fashion sector. In 1978, Henan’s apparel output value was only 2 billion yuan, with a production volume of 29.83 million pieces. By 2018, the annual output value of Henan’s apparel industry had surged to 300 billion yuan, with a production volume of 3.2 billion pieces—representing increases of 150 times and 107 times, respectively, compared to 1978. With an annual output value of 300 billion yuan, Henan now ranks sixth nationally in the apparel industry.
Zhengzhou enjoys unique advantages in economic development, with its enormous demographic dividend presenting significant opportunities. The city is home to more than 2,000 women’s trousers manufacturers, producing a total of 700 million pairs annually. Zhengzhou’s women’s trousers account for over 50% of the national market, solidifying its position as China’s largest women’s trousers production base.
In the past, Zhengzhou made its mark in China with its women’s trousers. Today, building on its proud legacy in this sector, Zhengzhou is striving to shape a national apparel market landscape known as the “Three Zhous and One Shen” (Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, and Shenzhen) and is seeking a stronger voice in the national fashion industry.
As of 2025, Zhengzhou had approximately 16,000 apparel enterprises, including over 3,400 manufacturing companies. Among these, around 1,000 branded apparel manufacturers have an annual output value exceeding 27 million yuan. Henan’s apparel industry is advancing toward a trillion-yuan scale, with the Zhengzhou women’s trousers industrial belt serving as a benchmark for the province’s apparel sector on this new journey.
