China's leather shoe production increased 17.9% in the first seven months of 2010

On September 20, it was reported that compared to the same period in 2009, China's leather shoe production increased by 17.9% in the first seven months of 2010. From January to July, Chinese footwear manufacturers produced around 2.2 billion pairs of leather shoes, with the total value rising by 22.6% year-on-year to approximately $27.8 billion. This growth reflects a strong performance in the domestic manufacturing sector, driven by both increasing demand and improved production efficiency. The average export unit price of Chinese-made leather shoes rose by 7.1%, reaching $9.84 per pair. Despite this increase, the average import unit price remains significantly higher at $36.52 per pair, highlighting the ongoing gap between domestic and international market prices. This disparity suggests that foreign markets still perceive imported shoes as premium products, while Chinese exports continue to focus on affordability and volume. In the first seven months of the year, total footwear exports surged by 26.6%, reaching 5.9 billion pairs, while the total export value climbed by 23.3% to $18.3 billion. This indicates strong global demand for Chinese-made footwear, particularly in emerging markets where cost-effective options are highly sought after. Meanwhile, total imports of footwear declined by 4.5% to 17.45 million pairs, but the total import value still increased by 16.5% to reach $430 million. This suggests that while the quantity of imported shoes has decreased, the value of high-end or specialized footwear has risen, reflecting shifting consumer preferences towards premium products. Overall, the data shows a dynamic and evolving footwear industry in China, balancing growth in exports with a nuanced import landscape.