Among the 3,631 exporters that shut down, 1,574 of them were small-sized toy producers with an export value of less than US$100,000.
According to the Customs report, the low profit margin, small capital, appreciation of Chinese currency, and rising production costs, were the causes of the small-sized toy producers’ shutting down.
China Customs also blamed the global trade protection and the increased quality standard of international communities for their slow-down in toy exports.
China is the world’s largest toy supplier. Last year, several toy-recalls raised red flags on the toys made in China.
Fisher-Price recalled 967,000 toys at first, and Mattel recalled more than 9 million Chinese made toys two weeks later. Both recalls were due to excessive amounts of lead found in the paint of the toys.
According to Toronto Star’s October 4 report, of the 18 retailers in the greater Toronto area tested, lead was found in about one in every four toy products purchased. Lead was also found on items billed as lead free.
