China's Footwear Hub Fujian Province Struggles Amid COVID-19 Spread

Fujian Province Footwear Export Value Reaches 15 Trillion Won Production and Logistics Hub
Major Area Lockdown Management Causes Sharp Export Slowdown in Transportation and More

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] As COVID-19 spreads in Fujian Province, China, it is having a negative impact on China's footwear industry.

Photo by Global Times capture

In particular, Quanzhou and Putian in Fujian Province are known as the mecca of China's footwear manufacturing industry, with annual footwear export value reaching approximately 15 trillion Korean won.

The state-run Global Times reported on the 25th that the footwear industry, which is the core of the regional economy in Fujian Province, is facing difficulties due to the recently spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant.

The media expressed concern that as of the 23rd, new confirmed cases including 69 symptomatic and 162 asymptomatic cases have been reported in Quanzhou and Putian, Fujian Province, and that this is affecting not only footwear production but also logistics.

In fact, the media added that SF Express, China's largest logistics company, has temporarily suspended delivery services in the affected areas.

Especially, Quanzhou's footwear industry is being significantly impacted, and one of China's domestic brand companies has even postponed the launch of new products, according to the Global Times.

The Global Times pointed out that Fujian Province is the export hub of China's footwear industry and warned that if the situation worsens, it could affect footwear exports.

Last year, Fujian Province's footwear export value was 79.77 billion yuan (approximately 15.25 trillion Korean won, 2.49 billion pairs). The footwear produced in Fujian Province is mainly exported to the United States, the European Union (EU), and ASEAN, the Global Times explained.

Regarding Fujian Province's footwear industry, Xinhua News Agency also reported that the local government has established hotlines with each footwear manufacturing company to handle complaints related to logistics and transportation.

It also reported that support measures such as tax and fee reductions are being implemented to alleviate difficulties faced by footwear production and related companies due to the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, as COVID-19 infections continue to emerge, Quanzhou health authorities in Fujian Province have implemented lockdown management in 13 high- and medium-risk areas. In the lockdown areas, going out is prohibited, and only one person per household is allowed to go out once every 2 to 3 days for the purpose of purchasing groceries and other daily necessities.