Vietnamese shoe exports grow
According to Vietnam’s leather and footwear association (Lefaso), the country’s leather and shoe exports grew 13.8% during the first seven months of the year to $2.8 billion. According to the organisation’s general secretary, Nguyen Van Khanh, Vietnam continues to be the fourth largest shoe manufacturer and exporter in the world. It produces 800 million pairs of shoes per year as well as 150 million square-feet of leather and 120 million bags. Its main export destinations are the US, Europe and Japan.
Part of the reason for the increase was a sharp rise in exports to the US following a long period of weak demand. Exports to the US totalled $700 million during the seven-month period, accounting for 25% of total shoe and leather exports.
Lefaso believes the export target for the year, at $4.6 billion, could still be achieved, despite labour shortages.
