SPORTS Trader (AUTUMN 2018)

Taiwan's sporting goods industry increased its output value F rom January to December of 2017, the total export volume of Taiwan's sporting goods industry was 1.792 billion U.S. dollars, which was 5.043% higher than last year. The overall sales level was relatively high, and the value of sporting goods exports increases yearly. Among them, “Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics” had the highest total export volume, reaching US$835 million, an increase of 5.87% over the previous year; “Articles and equip- ment for other sports or outdoor games, not specified or included elsewhere in Chapter; swimming pools and padding pools” ranked second, reaching US$242 million, 2.59% less than the previous year; “Other golf equipment” ranked third, an increase of 7.67% from the previous year to US$218 million. The export value of the first three sports products accounted for about 72% of the total export value. They are Taiwan's most important exported sport product. The top ten exporters in Taiwan in 2017 were: China, Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, Singa- pore, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand. The main export items are fitness equipment ($835 million), outdoor goods ($242 million), and golf equipment ($218 million). In addition, according to the statistic table, the export volume such as "Ski board", "Sails, of other textile materials", "Water-skis, surf-boards and other water-sport equipment" are significantly higher than the volume of previous year. On the other hand, the total export volume of ski wear and ski boots should be strengthened much more. In recent years, the European outdoor industry has developed rapidly. The most popular articles are winter sports and group sports. In the European sporting goods market, outdoor products occupy more than 25% of the market share. As the third largest market in the world, EU’s sports industry will continue to spread widely. Regarding the develop- ment trend of the European sports market in 2020, a China’s industry professional made the following predictions: 1. Rapid development of outdoor activities. 2. The market dominated by female. 3. Innovation idea brings out the growth. 4. Rapid development of running and group sports 5. Family fitness is popular with women and middle-aged. 6. Bicycle industry will keep growing. 7. Online shopping becomes a lifestyle. by Infotrade INDUSTRY TRENDS www.IMB2B.com 12