China: footwear exports fall in value, but leather shoes fare better
Figures from the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) show that manufacturers in the country exported 3.7 billion pairs in the first five months of this year, up by 0.8% year on year.
These shipments generated export revenues of $17.6 billion, which represents a decrease of 7.9% compared to the same period in 2024.
For leather shoes, specifically, exports reached a volume of 200 million pairs over the five-month period and a value of more than $2.8 billion. This is an increase of 1% in volume and a fall of 3.9% in value year on year.
In parallel, CLIA reported imports of 70 million pairs of footwear between January and May 2025, with a value of more than $2.1 billion. These figures represent decreases of 11.6% in volume and of 10.9% in value.
