The National Association of Italian Footwear Manufacturers (ANCI) has revealed figures for footwear imports in the first three months of 2006 (January - March) compared to the first three months of 2005.
Footwear imports continue to rise, despite an internal market that is far from flourishing: in the first quarter 116 million pairs of shoes were imported to Italy, up 15.3 percent worth almost €916 million, an increase of 16.8 percent.
Imports from China, following the +81 percent of 2002-2003, the +27 percent of 2004 (despite quotas being in place) and the +29 percent of 2005, also rose in the first three months of 2006: overall imports rose by 30.5 percent in quantity and 49 percent in value. But if we consider shoes with leather upper alone, the increases have been even sharper.
Over 8 million pairs of leather shoes were imported from China in just three months (+64.1 percent); their overall value was nearly €93 million (75.1 percent), precisely in the production segment in which Italian companies have greatest expertise.
ANCI - The National Association of Italian Footwear Manufacturers - groups together Italian footwear manufacturers.
Approximately 1,000 industrial enterprises belong to the Association. The turnover produced by the member companies represents approximately 70 percent of the overall Italian footwear production.
Associazione Nazionale Calzaturifici Italiani (ANCI)
marketing@alchempro.com
