Shoe exporters seize renewed trading opportunities

Exports of leather shoes to Europe declined sharply after the European Union imposed a four-year anti-dumping duty on made-in-China shoes in 2006. According to the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), the volume declined from 197 million pairs in 2005 to 144 million pairs in 2009.

Wenzhou, one of the largest shoes manufacturing bases, which accounts for more than 11 percent of annual shoe production in China, reported a 39 percent decline in orders from Europe between 2006 and 2009.

In the past few months, Chinese footwear manufacturers have received a large number of orders and queries from European customers after the European Union announced it was lifting the anti-dumping duty on Chinese leather shoes. An export rebound is being predicted.

"The annual growth rate may not go beyond 50 percent in 2011. However, a 20 to 30 percent annual growth increase will not surprise me a lot," said Wei Yafei, a director with the shoes sector of CLIA. "I hope exports can resume to the same levels as in 2005 over the next few years".

Wang Hailong, the public relations manager of Zhejiang Aokang Shoes Co, said orders from GEOX, one of Aokang's largest trading partners in Europe, increased by about 60 percent in the first quarter of 2011.

"The annual export volume to the European market is expected to reach 3 million pairs, up from 2 million pairs in 2010," said Wang.