According to statistics released by the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), exports and imports of leather goods increased in the first ten months of the year from January to October. Exports increased by 14.8% to reach $15.5 billion whilst imports rose by 22.3% to $4.31 billion.

Leather shoes – still the most important export product – accounted for almost a third of all leather exports, with exports remaining above average at 948.62 million pairs with a value of $5.17 billion. However, the largest increases in exports were seen in the tanning machinery and fur garment sectors. 20,000 pieces of tanning machinery were exported and fur exports rose to 6,000 tons, worth $919 million. Unfortunately it was not good news across the industry. Exports of hides dropped by a staggering 96.1%, leather gloves fell 41.1%, and leather garments diminished by 4.4% compared with the first ten months of 2003.

As for imports into China, with the exception of the machinery sector and sports equipment such as balls, all areas saw an increase in the first ten months. Hides led the way with imports reaching 19,400 tons with a value of $1.03 billion – an increase of 19.4% compared with the same period last year. Leather garment and leather shoe imports also grew, rising 12.7% and 49.8% respectively.