According to statistics released at the second China Export Commodities Fair, which opened in Guangzhou on October 25, the price of most shoe products has increased by anything from 5% to 20%. The China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) confirmed these figures and said that the price of cloth and rubber shoes has increased by 10-20% overall, due to an increase in the price of raw materials on the global market.

Representatives of shoe factories attending the fair said that the rise in prices has been accepted by the majority of customers. They are well-aware that the prices of integral materials such as rubber have increased to by a large amount and that most factories are facing great pressure due to the short supply of electricity.

The CLIA - commenting on the incident of Chinese shoe factories being set on fire in Elche, Spain - stated that the attacks had not affected the export of Chinese shoe products and that Chinese companies would continue distributing their goods in Europe. A representative of the Kangnai shoe group said that the Elche incident would have little effect on the price of the Kangnai brand because it mainly produces medium and high end leather shoes, not the low-end products that were targeted in Spain. He claimed that the brand does not create rivalry in Europe or compete unfairly, as the company already sells over 80 shoe designs in Europe and has faced no such protests.

The CLIA also urged shoe exporters to become more environmentally aware in the production processes, the materials used to manufacture, and the transportation of shoes for export. It said the technology criteria for shoes exported to other countries is in the process of being drafted and will possibly come into being in early 2005.

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