Made in China

In past recent years, China has risen as a largest shoe producing and exporting country of the world. Made in China shoes are produced about more than 10 billion per annum which represents nearly 70% of the world’s total footwear production as of 2008. With such a high production volume, the country has become not only the largest footwear manufacturing country but also the biggest footwear export market around the globe. According to a research report China Footwear Market Analysis, the footwear industry in China has grown expeditiously in terms of both consumption and exports.

China became the world’s largest footwear consumer in 2008 after surpassing the U.S. The Chinese footwear manufacturers have been feeling the heat of economic downturn which has discontinued shoe demand from many of its biggest export destinations including the US and EU. Another significant challenge is that China has been facing its continuous appreciation in the domestic currency (Yuan) that coupled with relative increase in production costs like labor force and raw materials.

The future outlook of the Chinese footwear market will be tremendous in terms of its production, consumption and exports along with shares of different shoe segments like leather shoe, rubber shoe and plastic shoe. The Canton province of China is the biggest footwear export foundation. Until the first 6 months this year, China direct export volume of shoes has decreased, but its export value has grown. Meanwhile, price of per shoes has increased approximately 30% and the rest less export trading enterprises. According to the analysis and observation of experts, this higher value but less quantity phenomenon showed that Chinese footwear industry is adjusting its strategy.