inner tubes

China is one of the largest tire and inner tubes manufacturing and exporting countries in the world. January 2006 figures show that overseas shipments are still on the rise, already totaling close to 8 million pieces worth US$297 million. In 2005, China shipped more than US$3 billion worth of tires (include inner tubes), which is 55 percent more than what it exported the year before. Export volume rose at a relatively slow rate of 34 percent from 68.7 million pieces in 2004 to 91.8 million in 2005. Rising prices are the primary reason behind the higher growth rate of export value. Customs statistics show that the average unit value of tires increased close to 16 percent in 2005, compared with the 10 percent adjustment the previous year. Export value registered bigger growth due mainly to the fact that suppliers are shipping their products, especially bus and truck tires (include inner tubes), at prices that are significantly higher than they were a year ago. Models for buses and trucks account for almost 65 percent of the country's exports of tires. They averaged US$64 per unit in January this year compared with US$47.50 in January 2005.