Footwear exports dip; sector shows signs of recovery

CAMBODIA netted over $1.2 billion from exporting footwear, gaiters and related articles in the first 11 months of 2023, marking a nearly 23% decrease year-on-year. However, the last few months of 2023 showed signs of gradual improvement, as reported by the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE).

Between January and November, the export of goods classified under Harmonised System (HS) Code 64 amounted to $1.21 billion, a 22.8% drop from $1.57 billion in the corresponding period of 2022.

The value represents 5.92% of the country’s total exports in the first 11 months of 2023, which totalled $20.49 billion.

In November alone, the exports of these items stood at $124.61 million, a 2.3% decline from $127.59 million year-on-year.

Ly Khun Thai, president of the Cambodian Footwear Association (CFA), attributed the downturn in 2023 to an overabundance of orders in 2022, leading to surplus stock.

He also noted that the ongoing global economic uncertainty, which has persisted for several years, impacts both the costs and travel habits of people worldwide, subsequently reducing purchases of footwear and other essentials.

“For 2024, according to the analysis by experts from the CFA, the export of footwear, gaiters and the like, as well as parts of such articles, may surpass last year’s. This is due to the sales momentum of companies ordering from Cambodia in the last six months of 2023, which has been positive. The release of stock by buyers and stores will likely boost orders for these products in 2024 compared to 2023,” he said.

According to the association, Cambodian footwear, including prominent international brands like Adidas, Clarks and Timberland, is chiefly exported to major markets