According to data released by the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), Chinese exports of leather garments fell to 33.69 million pieces valued at $1,293 million in September. This is a decline of 21.7% in terms of volume, compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile fur garment exports also fell, slipping 43.5% to 2,509 tons worth $363.6 million in the same month.

On a more positive note for Chinese exporters, the country maintained a slight increase in overseas shipments of leather upper footwear, in spite of the duties imposed on Chinese shoes by the EU. According to CLIA figures, China exported 1,071.33 million pairs of leather upper shoes worth $6.71 billion in September–an increase of 4.2% in terms of volume and 11% in terms of value.

With regard to imports, semi-finished and finished leather accounted for 63.6% of the country’s total leather-related imports, of which it imported 823,000 tons valued at $3.04 billion. This was 2.8% lower in terms of volume, but 16.8% higher in value, compared with same period last year. China also imported 728,000 tons of hides worth $1.1 billion– a 9.9% rise in volume and 12.6% in value.