The China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) has reported that in February China exported key leather goods worth $3.042 billion and imported leather products worth $805.12 million—a slight increase over 2005.

However, whilst exports of hides, semi-finished leather & finished leather declined 82.1% and 12.4% respectively, exports of added-value products increased. Leather shoe upper exports increased to 22.058 million pairs in February, up +8.7%; and leather shoe exports reached $1.256 billion, up +15.1% compared with the same period last year.

Meanwhile, imports of hides and finished leather increased 12.9% and 7.3% in terms of volume whilst imports of footwear accessories, leather garments and leather gloves fell compared with the same month in 2005.