According to figures released by the China Leather Industry association (CLIA), China’s leather and leather goods exports continued to rise in the first five months of 2007 (January to May), improving 7% to reach $9.21 billion.

Luggage and travel goods accounted for the largest increase, improving 20.9% year-on-year to reach $3.97 billion, whilst leather garment exports performed less well, falling 34.1% in terms of volume to 7.53 million pieces worth $272 million—down 46.6% in terms of value. Meanwhile, although the country’s leather footwear exports improved 8.3% in terms of volume at 535.4 million pairs, the value of footwear exports declined 2.6% to $3.51 billion.

During the same period, leather imports increased 14.5% to $2.82 billion, with hides, finished and semi-finished leathers accounting for 80% of total imports.