According to statistics released by Chinese customs, in the first quarter of 2005 (January to March), China exported leather goods worth $4.22 billion a rise of 14.3% over the same period in 2004 and imported $1.15 billion, 7.3% up on first quarter in the prior year.

The statistics showed that leather shoe and leather travel items including suitcases and bags accounted for 73.4% of total exports. During the three months, China exported 301.8 million pairs of leather shoes worth $1.65 billion, a 15.1% increase in quantity and 27.8% increase in value. Exports of leather travel items increased by 14.9% to $1.45 billion.

However, on a less positive note, leather garments, fur garments, leather and leather machinery all reported a decrease in the number of exports during the quarter. Leather garment exports fell by 7% to 8.98 million pieces, fur garment decreased by 31.2% to 536 tons worth $82.4 million, and semi-finished and finished leather fell 0.5% to 49,000 tons and the 5,000 leather machines exported showed a decline of 5.6% compared with the first quarter in 2004.

With regard to imports, a trend towards higher quality hides and leathers has been seen and import figures reflected this with a 9.3% increase in high end products such as leather and shoes from Italy and Europe.

 

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