info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
Image from Business Daily
In the third quarter of 2018, 6 million pairs of shoes were imported, representing an increase of 17%.
Traders, the 2018 Quarterly Balance of Payments report by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows, sourced their shoes ahead of December festivities and back-to-school period by paying Sh1.4 billion to foreign shoemakers.
The rise in imports negates ongoing campaigns by leather stakeholders to boost cobblers, small and medium enterprises as well as major shoe factories to raise production to 40 million pairs required annually.
Leather Apex Society of Kenya secretary general Beatrice Mwasi called on leather product manufacturers to unite and push for a review of laws to support local industries as well as ensure all shoemakers properly mark products based on materials used.
Quarter two data shows imports stood at 5.2 million pairs of shoes valued at Sh1.1 billion, which was a 7.4 per cent fall from the first quarter in which Kenyans paid Sh1.3 billion for 5.8 million pairs.
In November, stakeholders called for enactment of leather quality standards law, saying Kenyans get a raw deal by buying imported resin shoes passed off as 'quality leather shoes'.
