São Paulo – Brazilian leather exports totalled US$ 879.6 million in the first half, representing growth of 78% over the same period of last year. The data were disclosed this Monday (12th) by the Confederation of Brazilian Hides and Skins Industries (CICB).
In June, revenues from foreign sales totalled US$ 165.7 million, representing growth of 73% compared with the same month of 2009. “The figure recorded in the sixth month this year points to a recovery of leather exports, which may end the year at around US$ 1.7 billion,” estimates the chairman of the CICB, Wolfgang Goerlich.
From January to April, the main targets of the Brazilian product were Italy, with US$ 211.36 million; China, with US$ 196.42 million; Hong Kong, with US$ 100.27 million; and the United States, with US$ 85 million.
Markets to which exports posted strong growth during the semester include Tunisia, which imported the equivalent of US$ 1.98 million, representing growth of 76%; Lithuania, with US$ 1.66 million (+91%); and Norway, with US$ 12.3 million (100%).
Last week, the CICB and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) renewed an agreement to increase leather sales. Priority markets for the agreement include the United Arab Emirates.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum