The leather industry in China managed to maintain positive growth from January to November, 2001 despite the onset of recession in the global economy.

Exports of leather and leather goods was $11.47 billion, a rise of 6.8% compared with the same period the year before, and accounted for 4.7% of China’s total exports.

Raw hide and leather exports showed the highest growth, increasing by 71.4% compared with 2000 to $830.5 million. The next biggest jump was for fur garments, up 28.1%, leather gloves, up 20.2% and leather garments 11.1%. Exports of leather shoes, however, decreased by 0.4%.

While exports rose, the rate of growth actually slowed by 14.4% compared with the same period a year earlier. The China Leather Industry Association blamed the slowing growth on the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US combined with a global economic slowdown.

In terms of markets for China’s leather and leather goods exports, the ten largest (excluding fur) for the period in question were Hong Kong (accounting for 58.8%), Italy (10.1%), South Korea (10.1%), Spain (5.0%), Taiwan (3.1%), Thailand (2.0%), Indonesia (2.0%), the US (1.6%) and Vietnam (1.0%).

Imports of hides rose by 8.2% to $2.8 billion between January and November 2001, compared with the same period in 2000. Imports of shoe components fell by 1% to $260 million and machinery for leather-making and footwear manufacturer fell 6.7% to $74 million. The most important exporters to China in the leather sector were South Korea (accounting for 26.7% in value), followed by Taiwan (16%), US (16%), Italy (10.9%), and Australia (6.1%).

Unit: $1,000