China’s leather and leather products industry experienced rapid growth during 2000, according to figures just released.
Total export value reached US$11.77 billion, a 20% increase on 1999. Leather accounted for 4.5% of national total export value.
Leather garments increased by 53% in value, followed by leather/raw hides (51%), leather gloves (38%), fur garments (20%), footwear accessories (19%), and leather shoes (10%).
The export of footwear by quantity was 3.87 billion pairs, US$9.47 billion by value. The export of leather shoes reached 830 million pairs by quantity, taking up 21% of total shoes exported.
The average export price of leather shoes was US$5.27, down by $0.23 on the level of the previous year. Leather garments averaged $31.39, up US$1.27, while leather gloves rose $0.15 to $0.86.
The top five markets in 2000 for China’s leather and raw hides (excluding fur) were Hong Kong accounting for 67.9% of overall export sales (up 74% on 1999 levels); South Korea 7.8% (down by 9%); Italy 6.7% (increased by 33%); Spain 4% (increased by 58%); and Taiwan 3% (up by 1%).
The import value of leather and raw hides (excluding fur) in 2000 was $2.8 billion, 26% up on 1999 levels. Footwear components reached $290 million, a 1% increase, and leather and leather shoe machinery $85 million, rose 19% on 1999.
Top supplying markets for China’s leather and raw hides (excluding fur) were South Korea (30.6%), Taiwan (18.2%), United States (13%), Italy (11.2%), Australia (4.8%), Canada (3.1%), Hong Kong (2.5%), Argentina (2.2%), Japan (2%) and Brazil (1.7%).
