Portugal is the fifth biggest supplier of footwear to Mainland China and it should rise in the rankings, Diário de Notícias reports.

“It is natural that we start getting good results in China, as a result of a consistent investment in the last years,” Paulo Gonçalves, the Director of Communications at APICCAPS – Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association, told the Portuguese newspaper.

Between 2009 and last year, the report says the value of Portuguese footwear exports to the Mainland grew 20 times, to €12.9 million (US$13.6 million).

In terms of pricing, Hong Kong bought Portuguese footwear at an average price of €44.99 a pair last year. South Korea was ranked second, buying footwear at €42.59 a pair, and the Mainland third, at €41.06 a pair.