China is the world's largest toy manufacturing and export country, with approximately 70% of global toys produced domestically and an annual production value exceeding 100 billion RMB. The country is home to five major plush toy production bases:
1. Yangzhou - The Hub for Mid-Range Plush Toys:
Yangzhou is renowned as a prominent center for toy manufacturing, both domestically and internationally. If over 70% of the world’s toys are made in China, then more than half of the country’s plush toys are produced in Yangzhou. Plush dolls from the Athens Olympics, Beijing Olympics, and Shanghai Expo, totaling millions, were all manufactured in Yangzhou. This region specializes primarily in mid-range plush toys, with a production focus on standard items like plush bears and dogs. While the toy development capabilities are still evolving, the area largely relies on replicas from other regions.
2. Dongguan - The Export-Focused Plush Production Hub:
Dongguan’s toy industry is predominantly export-oriented, with about 65% of enterprises being Hong Kong-invested, 25% privately owned, and the remaining 10% comprising Taiwanese and Japanese investments. The production here includes a variety of high-end toys, such as plastic, electronic, wooden, educational, and plush toys, almost entirely for international markets with only a small fraction for domestic sales. Dongguan's enterprises benefit from advanced foreign experience and are leaders in scale, specialization, technology, and management. Dongguan Jun Ou Toys Co., Ltd., located in Dongguan, produces high-quality plush toys and partners with brands like Walmart, LIDL, CVS, Dollar Tree, and Singleton.
3. Guangzhou - The Major Toy Gift Production Center:
The Yide Road toy market in Guangzhou is one of China’s key toy and gift distribution hubs. Major specialized toy markets, such as the International Toy City, Zhonggang Toy Wholesale City, Wanling International Toy Plaza, and Jia Le Si Toy City, are concentrated in this area. Guangzhou is known for its innovative plush toy designs, often being the first to produce plush versions of popular cartoon characters or hot IPs featured on television.
4. Qingdao - The Northern Plush Toy Production Base:
The Jimo Road Small Commodities Wholesale Market in Qingdao, established in November 1980, was one of the earliest and largest wholesale markets formed during China’s reform era. Known as the "Shandong Small Commodities Kingdom," this market offers a wide range of goods across 24 categories and nearly ten thousand types, with a focus on toy wholesale. It is a major distribution center in northern China, known for its high-quality and cost-effective products.
5. Yiwu - The Plush Toy Wholesale Center:
Despite its limited resources and lack of industrial foundation, Yiwu in Zhejiang has developed a unique small commodity market model, making it China’s toy distribution center. The Yiwu International Trade City, particularly Area B, is a hub for plush toys, while the Xingzhong Toy Specialty Street, located across the street from the International Trade City, focuses on plush fabric toys. Yiwu's toy wholesale market is home to over 1,000 toy vendors, cementing its position as a leading center for plush toy distribution.
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