The organisers of International Leather Week, Madrid, Spain, have quoted recent foreign trade figures to point to developments on the Spanish footwear and leather sectors.
The footwear industry seems to be coping with the falling demand from its main export markets like Germany, the USA and Japan, who had been switching to lower-price goods, mainly in Asia. The balance of trade continues to be favourable compared to 2003, featuring a surplus of nearly 1,000 million euros and a coverage rate of 190.30%. In 2003 exports reached 126.8 million pairs and the value of 1,919.92 million euros. These figures represent a drop in exports of 7.30% in volume and 9.38% in value. Imports have, however, reached 131.2 million pairs, with a significant increase of 25.9% in volume and 21.6% in value. The average price of imports stands at 7.69 euros per pair, representing a decrease of 3.42% compared to the same period last year.
As for the leather goods industry, exports have continued to grow, although less so than in previous years. The increase comes to 7.14% compared to 2002, estimated at a value of 294.051 million euros.
The main purchasers continue to be France, Portugal, Japan and the UK. The USA, third in Spain’s last year’s ranking, has now dropped to fifth place, hindered by the rising value of the euro against the dollar.
The International Leather Week, formed by the shows Modacalzado, (International Footwear Trade Fair) and Iberpiel Marroquinería (International Leather Goods Trade Fair) will stage its fifteenth edition on 24 – 26 September at the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre in Madrid. The event, featuring fashion trends for the leather industry for Spring/Summer 2005, is expected to feature nearly 800 exhibitors, including major companies from Spain and a selection of brands from numerous countries.
