Dubbed as ‘the world’s biggest factory,” China can produce any item in bulk and ship it on the next available flight to various parts of the world. Cheap labor costs, extensive business networks, low taxes and duties, permissive labor, and environmental laws are factors that give China some edge over others. Food, clothes, toys, electronics, furniture, machinery—you name it, they can make it.
China-made products are everywhere, but this does not mean that other countries are not manufacturing any. Local and foreign manufacturers still produce items. Most even equal or surpass the quality of Chinese counterparts. It may just be a little tricky to find these brands but don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of products that come from other countries. You’ll be proud to know that there are still brands that continue to produce high-quality products from local materials. Show some support and give these alternatives a try.
Products Made Outside China
There is a wide array of products Not Made In China. Various products come from the same categories but guarantee high-quality products at amenable prices. Most come from established brands and some more recent companies that share the same standards and commitment.
1. Healthcare
Healthcare products are in-demand, especially with the ongoing Covid pandemic. While China remains the number one provider of protective equipment against the deadly virus, other countries have also stepped up, especially creating a Covid vaccine.
Apart from China’s Sinopharm, Russia (Sputnik V, EpiVacCorona), the United States and Germany (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna), United Kingdom (Oxford-AstraZeneca), and India (BBV152) are vaccines are now considered as authorized vaccines. Continuing trials include those from The Netherlands, Canada, Israel, Cuba, South Korea, Japan, France, Bangladesh, and Italy.
2. Clothing and Accessories (publisher link)
Fast fashion is often synonymous with China-made garments. While popular brands mostly rely on Chinese manufacturers to make their clothes, some choose to source local products and workers to make better quality items. Clothing labels usually indicate where the garment comes from, along with washing and ironing instructions.
If you want something trendy and durable, you can choose women, men, and kids’ apparel from the top clothing manufacturing companies based on a 2020 Best Clothing Manufacturers research from Sewport and data from the World Bank. Apart from China, the top clothing manufacturing countries are Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Italy, Turkey, Germany, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, and France.
3. Shoes
It can be hard to find durable shoes that are not China-made. But you can find one made by leading footwear producers. According to Statista, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Italy, and Thailand are among the top shoe manufacturers from 2013 to 2019.
4. Jewelry
Jewelry suppliers provide gold, silver, and various crystals made into earrings, necklaces, bracelets, cuff links, and rings. Jewelry, particularly gold, is valued not only as an investment but also as an essential part of various cultural traditions. The top 15 jewelry exporters are India, Switzerland, UAE, US, Hongkong, Italy, UK, France, Turkey, Thailand, Singapore, Germany, Malaysia, and Japan.
5. Electronics and Appliances
Electronics and appliances are indispensable products. The demand for audio and TV, home electronic devices, computers, and mobile phones come from top brands stationed in the US, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. The electronic industries of Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Malaysia are also favorable alternatives. These countries produce efficient appliances, and some may even integrate artificial intelligence (AI) as innovations.
6. Kitchen Supplies
Cookware is an essential part of any kitchen. These can come in different varieties, such as aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and ceramic. The best cookware you can use in your kitchen comes from the US and European countries such as Belgium, France, Italy, Denmark, UK, and Switzerland.
7. Outdoors Apparel and Equipment
Outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing require special equipment to provide safety and comfort while braving the elements. There is a diverse source of durable outdoor apparel and equipment from Asia (Japan and South Korea), and Europe (UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Iceland, Czech Republic), Canada, and the United States.
8. Toys and Games
Toys are children’s playthings, but an increasing number of interactive games appeal to adults. For this industry, the top 25 toy companies come from only three countries: Denmark, Japan, and the US. Primarily valued for their safety and educational aspects, these toy brands continue to dominate the worldwide market. Interactive games, which range from downloadable apps to computer software, are dominated by American game developers and have a vast worldwide audience.
Conclusion
China is undeniably a manufacturing powerhouse, dominating many product lists across the globe. However, this does not obscure local and foreign manufacturers from producing comparable or even better alternatives. The list above encourages consumers to support local brands and seek out foreign labels that feature durable and high-quality goods.
