São Paulo – Exports of Brazilian shoes have upturned, with the volume of pairs shipped practically equaling the same period in 2019. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados), 9.3 million pairs were exported in August, totaling USD 78 million, representing an increase of 28.2% in volume and 34.9% in revenue compared to the same month in 2020.
Shipments totaled 75.2 million pairs and USD 541.34 million from January to August, a 33.4% growth in volume and 23.9% in revenue compared to last year’s same period.
Compared to January to August 2019, the drop in the number of pairs was 0.2%, while in revenue, the decline reached 16.7%, which, according to Abicalçados, it is explained by the exchange rate variation in the period, since the footwear companies sell shoes with lower average prices.
The chief executive of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, highlighted in a note that an upturn process is occurring in the international market, led by the United States, the leading destination for Brazilian footwear abroad.
“Imports of Brazilian shoes by the United States are already 14% greater than pre-pandemic levels. For six consecutive months, pairs exported to the US have recorded an increase compared to 2019,” he celebrated.
However, Ferreira pointed out in some European countries, especially France, the third international destination for Brazilian footwear, imports are decreasing due to the new wave of COVID-19. “So, the picture is still cloudy to talk about a full recovery compared to the losses of 2020. Demand needs to persist,” said the executive.
The main destinations for Brazilian footwear abroad continue to be, in the first place, the United States, followed by Argentina and France. There are no Arab countries in the twenty main destinations for Brazilian footwear between January and August.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
