Still a couple months to go before it’s Christmas, but for Christmas decoration factories and retailers in China, it starts as earliest as July and ends in late September, when massive orders from around the world arrive in Yiwu, located 300 km (185 miles) south of Shanghai in the prosperous Zhejiang province. Orders come from places as far away as Europe, the United States and South America. This year, European demand for Christmas goods has dropped sharply, local vendors said. One estimated European orders were down 20 percent from last year, while another said his European orders had fallen by 40 percent.
Employee works to make plastic Christmas trees at Zhongsheng Christmas Crafts factory in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Employee makes plastic Christmas trees at the Zhongsheng Christmas Crafts factory in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Boxes with plastic Christmas trees for Russian market are seen at Zhongsheng Christmas Crafts factory in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
An employee makes plastic Christmas trees at the Zhongsheng Christmas Crafts factory in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Employee pushes cart with plastic Christmas trees at the Zhongsheng Christmas Crafts factory in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Employee makes plastic Christmas trees at the Zhongsheng Christmas Crafts factory in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Woman walks under rain near an inflatable Santa Claus at a commercial area in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Woman works on computer at Christmas decoration shop in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Christmas decoration shop is seen at a commercial area in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Plastic Santa Claus toys are seen at Christmas shop in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Vendor stands at entrance of his Christmas decoration shop next to plastic Santa Claus toys in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Malharoblishvki from Georgia buys Christmas decorations at a commercial area in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Man past Christmas decoration commercial area in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Vendor smokes next to inflatable Santa Claus outside of his Christmas decoration shop in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
Shi stands at his shop in Yiwu. CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS
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