second as regards the volume of parts outsourced abroad in 2001. However, the
quality of imported parts is much higher than in Barletta (21.52 €/kg). As in the case
of Barletta, Lecce is also a net importer of intermediate goods. As regards finished
goods, Lecce has strongly increased outsourcing of final processing since 1999
(over 700 thousand pairs of shoes outsourced).
• In Veneto, the footwear districts considered delocalised much less volume of parts
but more finished goods than the ones in Puglia. As a result, these districts are all
net exporters of parts and net importers of finished goods. Verona - which already
delocalised a great volume of intermediate production abroad in the second part of
the 1990s - in 2001 still delocalised a relevant volume of production of parts abroad
(more than 700 thousand kilos), with a relatively high unit value with respect to the
other districts (26.01€/kg). Moreover, Verona stands out as being the first district by
number of final goods required from foreign subcontractors in 2001 (almost 4500
thousand pairs), with a strong increase in her ranking since 2000. However, Verona
has reduced dramatically its delocalisation of final processing abroad since 1998
(Figure 2). The footwear district in Treviso (Montebelluna) notably delocalises a
great volume of assembling operations abroad (and indeed ranked third with almost
700 thousand pairs required in 2001), but tends to carry out the bulk of intermediate
processing domestically. As in the case of Verona, Treviso has also reduced
outsourcing of final processing since 1999 (Figure 2), but the quality of imported
parts is the highest of all (30.07€/kg). The Brenta district ranked fourth in both
intermediate and final processing in 2001, which confirms that it does not rely as
strongly as the previous ones on international delocalisation as a competitive
strategy. However, in contrast with Verona and Treviso, delocalisation of final
processing has been increasing since 1999.
• Finally, in Marche, the Fermano-Maceratese district stands out as relying
relatively less on international outsourcing than districts in Puglia and some others
in Veneto, as regards both intermediate and finished goods. In particular, here there
is also a tendency towards decreasing outsourcing of final processing since 1998.
However, as in the case of footwear districts in Puglia, Fermano-Maceratese is also
a net importer of intermediate items.