New destinations for Wenzhou’s leather shoes
According to a number of shoemakers in Wenzhou, China, footwear exports from the region have fallen in the last couple of years as a result of the EU anti-dumping duties imposed on leather shoes from both China and Vietnam.
However, many have decided to focus on new export destinations in North America and Asia in a bid to counter the effects of the duties.
Reports indicate that shoe exports to North America rose 43.2% in 2009 compared with 2008 with footwear sales to Mexico almost five times higher at $0.87 million. Exports to ASEAN countries rose 27.4% and exports to Switzerland rose 150% to $116 million.
According to Wenzhou Customs statistics, the region’s shoe exports to the US were up 46.2%, while sales to Australia rose 41.9% and exports to Malaysia rose 30.8% year-on-year.
