>>>Click into Related Special: The 97th Canton Fair

The export prices of shoes made in China increased 5 to 10 percent at the second period of the 97th China Export Commodities Fair, which opened Monday.

Major shoemakers attending the fair were confident about the price rise, despite the European Union's possible restrictions on shoe imports, saying the shoes were of good quality. Some small shoemakers said prices were still a main factor for a deal, fearing foreign buyers might walk away from the price increase.

Zhejiang's Aokang shoe company said the company decided to raise shoe prices for European markets by 10 percent because of material cost increases. The company's export department chief, surnamed Lian, said the foreign buyers could accept the offer because the average price for men's shoes stood at US$18 per pair, while they could be sold at around US$80-100 in the European market.

But some shoemakers feared the buyers might be cautious in deciding the amount of purchases as calls for the EU to set restrictions on Chinese shoes were increasing.

A shoemaker from Shenzhen said small shoe companies, afraid they would not get many orders from the fair, were cautious in deciding their prices.

Customs statistics showed the prices of shoes exported from Guangdong to the EU dropped during the first quarter of the year, which might trigger a new round of trade sanctions.

The fair, also known as Canton Fair, will end Sunday. The White Swan Hotel has launched a ferry service between the hotel and the Pazhou complex for the fair. The journey lasts about 45 minutes.

Editor: Yan