According to China Leather Industry Association, leather exports improved 5.8% to reach $7.121 billion during the first four months of 2007 (January to April) from $6.735 billion in the corresponding period last year.

A breakdown of the figures showed that leather footwear exports reached $2.736 billion for the four-month period, travel goods and luggage reached $3.042 billion, leather garment exports were $210.083 million, fur garment exports were $31.867 million, leather gloves reached 226.069 million and leather balls $82.948 million. Raw hide exports were $1.251 million, whilst China exported skins worth $180.519 million.

Meanwhile, China imported 15.02% more leather goods valued at $2.213 billion during the same four-month period as compared with 2006 when imports stood at $1.924 billion.