More than 96% of freshwater pearls sold in the world market are from China
, and those which are produced in Zhuji, in the Zhejiang Province, are of the highest quality. China also produces Akoya pearls smaller than 9mm. France and Australia are the major exporters of he Tahiti and South Sea pearls to China. The pearls that are being sold in China are cost a lot lesser than the price of the same pearls in any western country. As China itself is the major producer of the freshwater pearls, these are cheaper in the market there. But in western countries, since these have to be imported and many middlemen make a living out of these businesses, the fresh water pearls are costly in the US. The international free trade agreements in China also helps the Chinese pearl industry to maintain the price of pearls cheaper and yet make tremendous profits each year by the pears and pearl jewelry exports it make every year.