To provide an imitation leno fabric having characteristics similar to those of leno fabric, producible by using a polyester multifilament yarn in high stability and productivity and having the air-permeability and the unique surface variations characteristic to leno fabric and provide its production process.

The woven fabric is composed of polyester multifilament yarn. The gap between a warp group 5 composed of a plurality of closely arranged warps 4 and adjacent warp group 5' composed of closely arranged warps is larger than the gap between the warps 4 constituting the warp group. The cover factor Kw of the warp 4 and the twist number T (t/m) of the warp 4 and the weft satisfy the formula (1) and the formula (2). The formula (1): 800≤Kw≤1,350, the formula (2): twist number T≥9,500/D1/2 (wherein Kw= Nw×Dw1/2; Nw is warp density (number/inch); Dw is warp fineness (denier); D is fineness (denier) of warp or weft).