China Becomes Portugal'S Second Largest Importer Of Footwear

Portugal footwear, leather goods and related accessories manufacturing Association (APICCAPS) news Portuguese footwear exports have increased for two consecutive years.

As of September 2007, Portuguese footwear exports amounted to 956 million euros, an increase of 2.2% over the previous year, which is better than the 1.3% growth rate in 2006.

The Portuguese footwear industry has continuously developed new export footwear varieties, and the export of waterproofing shoes, textile shoes and other materials shoes has increased by 26%, 7.5% and 8.4% respectively, while the export of traditional leather shoes has dropped by 0.7%, but still accounts for 80% of Portuguese footwear exports.

In the 1-9 month of 2007, Portugal exported 5 of the largest number of EU countries to France, Germany, Holland, the United Kingdom and Spain, with exports of 284 million euros, 186 million euros, 104 million euros, 100 million euros, and 82 million euros, representing an increase of 7.7%, -1.3%, 3.5%, -14.2% and 7.1% respectively.

In the 1-9 month of 2007, Portugal's footwear exports to the European Union grew fastest in Angola, with an export volume of 8 million euros, an increase of 65%, a reduction in exports to the US, and an export volume of 11 million euros, down 36.2%.

According to another data from the Council, imports of Portuguese footwear also increased in 2007.

As of September 2007, Portugal's footwear imports amounted to 291 million euros, an increase of 12.5% over the same period last year.

Spain is Portugal's largest source of footwear imports, imports 128 million euros, accounting for 40% of Portuguese footwear imports, an increase of 9.8% over the same period; imports from China increased rapidly, imports of 27 million euros, an increase of 37.9% over the same period last year, China has become Portugal's second largest source of footwear imports.

Holland is Portugal's third largest source of footwear imports, with an import volume of 26 million euros, down 15% from the same period last year.