China's Leather Footwear Market to Reach 903 Million Pairs and $36.2 Billion in Value

IndexBox has just published a new report: China - Leather Footwear - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

China's leather footwear market is forecast to grow, with consumption volume expected to reach 903 million pairs by 2035, driven by domestic demand, while production has declined from its 2013 peak. In 2024, consumption was 814 million pairs (valued at $27.4B), production was 1.2 billion pairs (valued at $18.4B), imports were 69 million pairs (valued at $2.9B), and exports were 463 million pairs (valued at $7B). The market value is projected to reach $36.2B by 2035. Key trade flows show a specific product category, 'footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes', dominating both imports and exports.

Key Findings

• China's leather footwear consumption is projected to grow to 903 million pairs by 2035
• The market value is forecast to increase to $36.2 billion by 2035
• Domestic production of 1.2 billion pairs significantly outpaces consumption of 814 million pairs
• Imports are valued higher per pair ($43) than exports ($15), indicating a quality or branding gap
• A single product category dominates both imports and exports, comprising over 70% of trade volume

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for leather footwear in China, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 903M pairs by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $36.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

China's Consumption of Leather Footwear

In 2024, consumption of leather footwear increased by 4% to 814M pairs, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 1.2B pairs. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The value of the leather footwear market in China was estimated at $27.4B in 2024, surging by 2.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption showed a pronounced expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $39.8B. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production

China's Production of Leather Footwear

Leather footwear production in China reduced slightly to 1.2B pairs in 2024, leveling off at the year before. Overall, production continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 5.1%. Leather footwear production peaked at 1.5B pairs in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, leather footwear production reduced slightly to $18.4B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 157%. Leather footwear production peaked at $48.9B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

Imports

China's Imports of Leather Footwear

Leather footwear imports into China dropped to 69M pairs in 2024, waning by -5.4% on 2023 figures. Overall, imports, however, posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at 74M pairs in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, leather footwear imports declined to $2.9B in 2024. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $3B in 2023, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Imports By Country

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from No country was relatively modest.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from No country was relatively modest.

Imports By Type

In 2024, footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes (60M pairs) constituted the largest type of leather footwear supplied to China, with a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes (8M pairs), eightfold. Footwear, outer soles and uppers of leather, nes (786K pairs) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1.1% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes imports amounted to +11.1%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes (+5.8% per year) and footwear, outer soles and uppers of leather, nes (-3.7% per year).

In value terms, footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes ($2.3B) constituted the largest type of leather footwear supplied to China, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes ($355M), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by footwear, outer soles and uppers of leather, nes, with an 8.3% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes imports stood at +11.2%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes (+6.1% per year) and footwear, outer soles and uppers of leather, nes (+0.8% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average leather footwear import price stood at $43 per pair in 2024, rising by 5.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $47 per pair in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was footwear, soles, uppers of leather, over ankle, nes ($446 per pair), while the price for footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes ($38 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by footwear; with uppers of leather or composition leather, n.e.s. in chapter 64 (+8.8%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

China has no trade partners to describe.

Exports

China's Exports of Leather Footwear

In 2024, overseas shipments of leather footwear decreased by -8.5% to 463M pairs, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports recorded a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 120% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 762M pairs in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, leather footwear exports reduced to $7B in 2024. In general, exports saw a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $12.2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to No country was relatively modest.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value to No country was relatively modest.

Exports By Type

Footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes (337M pairs) was the largest type of leather footwear exported from China, with a 73% share of total exports. Moreover, footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes exceeded the volume of the second product type, boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes (87M pairs), fourfold. Footwear, nes, uppers leather (28M pairs) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes exports stood at -5.3%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes (-1.9% per year) and footwear, nes, uppers leather (-2.7% per year).

In value terms, footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes ($4.7B) remains the largest type of leather footwear exported from China, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes ($1.8B), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by footwear, nes, uppers leather, with a 4.8% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of footwear, sole rubber, plastics uppers of leather, nes exports amounted to -4.7%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: boots, sole rubber or plastic upper leather, nes (-1.5% per year) and footwear, nes, uppers leather (+1.2% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average leather footwear export price stood at $15 per pair in 2024, flattening at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 186% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $39 per pair. From 2019 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was footwear, soles, uppers of leather, over ankle, nes ($26 per pair), while the average price for exports of footwear, outer soles and uppers of leather, nes ($11 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: footwear; with uppers of leather or composition leather, n.e.s. in chapter 64 (+4.0%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

China has no trade partners to describe.