China’s footwear industry reported lower exports and imports during the first four months of 2026, with footwear export value declining 10.3% YoY to $12.33 billion. Export volume also fell 5.1% to 2.75 billion pairs, while imports declined in both quantity and value during the same period according to official data released by the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA).
Overall Footwear Trade Performance (January – April 2026)
Exports
| Category | Jan-Apr 2025 | Jan-Apr 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export Quantity | 2.90 billion pairs* | 2.75 billion pairs | -5.1% |
| Export Value | $13.75 billion* | $12.33 billion | -10.3% |
*Calculated based on the reported year-on-year decline.
China exported 2.75 billion pairs of footwear worth $12.33 billion between January and April 2026. Export quantity declined 5.1%, while export value recorded a steeper 10.3% fall compared to the same period last year.
Imports
| Category | Jan-Apr 2025 | Jan-Apr 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import Quantity | 60.84 million pairs* | 48.01 million pairs | -21.1% |
| Import Value | $1.72 billion* | $1.67 billion | -2.9% |
*Calculated based on the reported year-on-year decline.
Footwear imports totalled 48.01 million pairs valued at $1.67 billion during the first four months of the year. Import quantity declined 21.1%, while import value fell 2.9% year-on-year.
In April 2026 alone, China exported 650 million pairs of footwear worth $2.91 billion. During the same month, footwear imports stood at 9.11 million pairs with an import value of $360 million.
Leather Shoes
Exports
| Category | Jan-Apr 2025 | Jan-Apr 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export Quantity | 153 million pairs* | 150 million pairs | -1.7% |
| Export Value | $2.22 billion* | $1.98 billion | -10.8% |
*Calculated based on the reported year-on-year decline.
China exported 150 million pairs of leather shoes worth $1.98 billion during January to April 2026. Leather shoe export quantity declined 1.7%, while export value dropped 10.8% year-on-year.
Imports
| Category | Jan-Apr 2025 | Jan-Apr 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import Quantity | 15.72 million pairs* | 12.99 million pairs | -17.4% |
| Import Value | $706 million* | $690 million | -2.3% |
*Calculated based on the reported year-on-year decline.
Leather shoe imports totalled 12.99 million pairs valued at $690 million. Compared to the same period of 2025, import quantity fell 17.4%, while import value declined 2.3%.
In April 2026 alone, China exported 30 million pairs of leather shoes worth $420 million. Leather shoe imports during the month reached 2.59 million pairs, with an import value of $160 million.
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