China exported nearly 3,5 billion pairs of shoes worth US$15,75 billion in the first five months of 2026. Compared to the previous year, the volume decreased by 5,7 percent, and the export value fell by 10,3 percent.
Leather shoes, at 190 million pairs, accounted for only 5,4 percent of exports, but contributed 16 percent to the total export value, amounting to more than US$2,5 billion. Volume and revenue also declined in this segment.
Chinese shoe imports also declined. Of a total of 59,5 million pairs imported, 16,2 million were leather shoes, accounting for approximately 43 percent of the import value at US$860 million.
