With the end of textile quotas in January 2005, it is being predicted that the demand for Chinese dress shoes could increase by 30%, according to a survey conducted by a research company, Globalsources, on manufacturing facilities  and market trends.

The survey questioned 70 dress shoe manufacturers of whom 76% said that strong sales in the EU will continue as demand will increase as the EU eases restrictions on imports of dress shoes under $10.

China produces 60% of the world’s dress shoes, but the majority of these fall into the under $10 category. At the moment North America consumes the large majority of Chinese product, importing 48% of exports, with the EU taking 17% and Asian countries importing 13%. It is believed that Europe will offer the best prospects as far as potential markets are concerned following the end of the quotas.