Ordos cashmere industry speeds up development pace

The Albas goats are high-quality cashmere sources in Ordos city. [Photo/Nuan News]

China currently stands as the world's largest producer of cashmere, with over half of the global production and 70 percent of the trade volume.

The city of Ordos in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region contributes 22 percent of the country's cashmere production, which is also equivalent to 13 percent of the worldwide total.

It boasts the largest source base of Albas cashmere goats nationwide, serving as a hub for premium cashmere raw materials.

It has nurtured leading enterprises like Erdos Group, a Chinese cashmere clothing producer, while also fostering a myriad of small and medium-sized cashmere businesses.

Presently, Ordos is home to 361 cashmere enterprises, including 65 processing enterprises above a designated size. These companies currently employ over 20,000 individuals.

Annually, these entities produce 10 million varied cashmere products, 2,500 metric tons of cashmere yarn, and 2,000 tons of dehaired cashmere.

In 2022, Ordos was bestowed with the title of "China's Cashmere Capital".

In the competitive landscape of globalization, the significance of research investment and technological innovation is increasingly pronounced.

Ordos enterprises in the cashmere sector, epitomized by Erdos Group, are keeping pace with the times, perpetually exploring and creating technological advancements.

Statistics reveal that Erdos Group has developed over 100 standards in the realm of cashmere, including six international, 16 national, 22 industrial, and 22 group standards.

To ensure the supply of high-quality cashmere raw materials, Ordos has successively implemented a series of supportive policies, such as the construction of advantageous specialty industrial clusters for cashmere goats, the Albas cashmere goat geographical indication protection project, and germplasm resource protection initiatives.

Moreover, specific areas like Wurenduxi and Bayinwenduer villages in Otog Banner have been designated as core protection zones for white cashmere goats.

Special funds have been allocated for infrastructure development within these areas, and priority has been placed on the establishment of core groups of cashmere and the promotion of practical technologies. Additionally, by leveraging breeding enterprises, efforts are underway to fortify superior breeding systems.