The general manager of the Chile Leather & Footwear Federation, Pedro Beriestain Bosco, has claimed that imports of Chinese shoes have had a negative impact on the country’s shoe industry, causing particular damage to small enterprises.
According to official statistics, from January to July this year, Chile imported 20.7 million pairs of shoes; a rise of 23.7% on the previous year.
Chile generally imports 40 million pairs of shoes annually, 80% of which are from Asia - especially from China - and 10% from Brazil and Argentina. Though Chile also exports shoes, the numbers are very small. In 2003, only 900,000 pairs were exported at an average price of $6.05 per pair.
At present Chile produces 16 million pairs of shoes annually and around 80% of these are made by the 50 largest shoe firms. The remaining 20% are accounted for by 350 small factories.
