According to SGMA International’s analysis of data from the U.S. Commerce Department, sporting goods imports for the first half of 2003 compared to 2002 increased by 8.8% . In 2002, imports had declined by 1.5% compared with 2001. 

			        
U.S. SPORTING GOODS IMPORTS
January - June/Six Month Totals
(Declared Customs Value - Billions)

    Year	   Total Imports/Year	   Percentage Change
1996 vs. ‘97	$3.481 vs. $3.869		+11.1%
1997 vs. ‘98	$3.869 vs. $3.940		+1.8%
1998 vs. ‘99	$3.940 vs. $3.853		-2.2%
1999 vs. ‘00	$3.853 vs. $4.075		+5.8%
2000 vs. ‘01	$4.075 vs. $4.273		+4.9%
2001 vs. ‘02	$4.273 vs. $4.211		-1.5%
2002 vs. ‘03	$4.211 vs. $4.580	        +8.8%

SGMA International reports that throughout the first half of 2003, the total U.S. customs value of imported athletic footwear, sports apparel, and selected sports equipment was $4.58 billion, compared with $4.21 billion for the first six months of last year.

“The rise in import value appears to be a combination of higher costs of athletic footwear, continued growth of outsourcing and perhaps increased demand, which is a good sign,” said SGMA International’s Director of Market Intelligence Sebastian DiCasoli.

Total sports equipment imports for the first six months of 2003 grew by 7.3% to $1.97 billion compared to $1.83 for January-June of ‘02. Among the major product categories, the largest increases were other gym/exercise equipment (+20.9%), sleeping bags and tents (+20.1%), and golf equipment (+10.4%).

The largest 2003 year-to-date product increases were:

	Archery Arrows		31%
	Leather Batting Gloves	29%
	Finished Golf Clubs	21%

The largest 2003 year-to-date product decreases were:

	Golf Balls		-38%
	Tennis Racquets		-26%
	Volleyballs		-22%

Sports equipment export leaders are Mainland China (55.1%), Taiwan (10.6%), Canada (6.6%), and Mexico (4.1%). There were no significant changes in market shares for the first half of 2003.

Athletic footwear import dollar value increased by 8.3% to $2.28 billion for the first half of 2003 compared to $2.11 billion in 2002. However, unit volume increased by only 4.6%, resulting in an average price increase of 3.5% to $9.83 for 2003.

Mainland China and Indonesia are the main exporters of athletic footwear to the United States – a combined market share of 87.5% of the total import dollar value in 2003. Mainland China’s share rose from 75% in 2002 to 76.2% this year. Indonesia’s share declined from 14.2% in 2002 to 11.3% in 2003. Vietnam’s share increased from 3.5% in 2002 to 5.9% in 2003. Thailand’s share was unchanged from 2002.

Listed below are the four Asian countries with the largest athletic footwear market shares:

			 2001	 2002	 2003		
Mainland China		76.6%	75.0%	76.2%
Indonesia		12.9%	14.2%	11.3%
Thailand		         4.0%	  4.0%	  4.0%
Vietnam			  2.4%	  3.5%	  5.9%

The U.S. Commerce Department’s coverage of athletic clothing and activewear is minimal in relation to the total amount of product actually imported in these categories. But, specific import data is available for jogging/warm-up apparel, such as jackets, pants, and sweatshirts. The January-June, 2003 import figures for these apparel items were $328 million, a 23% increase from the $267 million imported over the same period in 2002.

The statistics on import volume in this SGMA International report, while based on official U.S. Commerce Department data, should not be used as the sole basis for developing an estimate of total sporting goods imports because the product coverage in the report is limited to athletic footwear, archery, racquet sports, baseball/softball, billiards, bowling, inflated balls, golf equipment, fishing tackle, ski equipment, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, gym/exercise equipment, sailboards, sport gloves, and roller skates. Import data on many other items, e.g., camping equipment and soft goods – like tennis and golf apparel — are not available.