According to export statistics for the first seven months of 2009, total Taiwan sporting goods exports amounted to US$588,317,127. Compared to the same period in the previous year, exports dropped by 28.02%. Of the sporting good export categories in 2009, articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics occupied first place. Total exports for this category amounted to US$188,753,973 which was 26.46% lower than exports during the same period in 2008. Exports under the second place category articles and equipment for other sports or outdoor games, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; swimming pools and paddling pools totaled US$132,993,023 decreasing 30.59% compared to the previous year. The category other golf equipment took third place with exports amounting to US$68,242,821 but this performance was 54.3% below the figures recorded in 2008.
Though overall market declined compared to same period in 2008, some export categories still managed to post some impressive gains. Export categories such as ski-boots, cross-country ski-footwear and snowboard, boots, with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, sailboards, table-tennis bats, skis, sleeping bags and women’s or girls’ anoraks, including ski-jackets, wind-cheaters, wind-jackets and similar articles all registered high rates in growth in 2009. However, export categories such as Inflatable yachts and other vessels for pleasure or sports, table for table-tennis, men’s or boys’anoraks including ski-jackets, wind-cheaters, wind-jackets and similar articles, other than those of heading No.62.03, of cotton, ski-boots, cross-country ski footwear and snowboard, boots, with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather orcomposition leather and uppers of leather all saw significant declines in 2009.
With respect to the destinations of Taiwan sporting goods exports for the first seven months of 2009, the United States was the top recipient, receiving US$209,881,363 in exports. Japan ranked second, taking in US$50,697,244 and Hong Kong ranked third with US$42,800,302. However, the export amounts for all three destinations were all lower compared to the previous year. This was especially true for Hong Kong whose exports declined over 60%.
The sporting goods industry was one of the hardest hit by the global financial crisis. One advantage that the sporting goods industry has in Taiwan is their mature production technology and stable quality gained from their years of experience in this field. In order to transform itself in this adverse environment, Taiwan’s sporting goods industry needs to deeply explore markets, effectively integrate industry technology and adopt innovative marketing strategies. If progress can made in these areas, the industry will certainly recover quickly and become even more prosperous than before.
