This Year, Wenzhou Shoes Export Should Strive To Cross Three Hurdles.

The reporter learned from the Wenzhou customs that the total number of shoes exported to our city last year was 528 million pairs, though the number was 1.4% less than that of the previous year. However, the export volume increased by 14.4% over the same period last year, to 2 billion 678 million US dollars.

According to this calculation, the average export price of each pair of Wenzhou shoes is 5.08 US dollars, up 16% over the same period last year.

This year, if Wenzhou shoes want to run fast in the export, they should cross the three hurdles of slowing down external demand, trade barriers and environmental barriers.

According to statistics, from 8 to November last year, the export of Wenzhou shoes showed a trend of seasonal decline. However, the export volume rebounded in December, up by 19% over the same period, due to factors such as the increase in export tax rebate rate.

From a regional perspective, exports of Wenzhou shoes to the EU have declined, while exports to the United States and Latin America have increased rapidly.

The EU is still the largest market for shoes exports in Wenzhou. Last year, the city exported 175 million pairs of shoes to the EU, down 4%, exports to the Latin American region 38 million pairs, an increase of 30.4%, and exports to the United States 33 million pairs, an increase of 29.8%.

However, because of the rising cost, this has brought a great impact on Wenzhou shoe making enterprises which are originally small profits but quick turnover, and the profit margins of enterprises have been squeezed.

This year, in addition to the adverse effects of the financial crisis on slowing down external demand, Wenzhou shoes will also face two major export barriers, namely, the rise of trade protectionism and the "environmental barrier".

In October last year, the EU launched relevant procedures for Chinese leather shoes, extended anti-dumping measures in disguise, and extended the 16.5% anti-dumping duty that has been levied for two years to 12 to 15 months. This will continue to adversely affect the export of leather shoes in Wenzhou.

In 2008, Wenzhou exported 11 million 219 thousand and 700 pairs of anti-dumping shoes to the EU, down 19%.

At the same time, "environmental barriers" will perplex Wenzhou shoe exports.

At present, the European Union and the United States, with their own technological and economic advantages, have constantly formulated stringent technical standards and environmental standards related to safety, environmental protection, hygiene and other aspects, limiting the export of China's shoes products.

For example, the European Union's CE safety certification mark should be obtained for the footwear exported to Europe, and the PCP residue of the shoe making leather should be strictly measured.

In addition, the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act came into effect in August 14, 2008, in which the technical specifications for children's shoes exported to the United States were made mandatory.

How to run the market well this year, Wenzhou customs experts suggest that Wenzhou enterprises should adjust the structure of export products, increase R & D investment in quality and design, improve the level of technology and environmental protection, and increase the number of high-grade and high added value shoes exports.

At the same time, we should vigorously implement the diversification strategy of export markets, actively explore new markets, decentralization of market risks, strengthen the role of trade associations, set up import and export monitoring and early warning system, and standardize the export market order.

Editor in chief: Hao Ling