According to reports, shoe exports in Shishi, an important export city in Fujian, totalled 29.1 million pairs valued at $52.29 million in the first quarter of 2006, down 15.8% in terms of volume but up 41.1% in value, compared with the same period in 2005.

A survey conducted by the Fujian Footwear Association revealed that many companies are worried about the duties that have been imposed on shoes made in China and Vietnam and said that a decline in export quantities to the EU market was already evident. The rise in value of footwear exports was attributed to higher oil prices and labour costs as well as improvements in quality and design.