São Paulo – Brazilian exports revenue of components for leather, footwear, and byproducts totaled USD 175 million from January to May 2022, 21% more than in the same period last year. Solely in May, component shipments totaled USD 37.38 million, 33% more than in the same month in 2021. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Shoe and Leather Components Industries (Assintecal), the outlook remains optimistic for the sector.
“Of the eight main destinations for exports, five were from Latin America. The countries also recorded an average increase higher than the median (32%, against 21%),” said Luiz Ribas Júnior, International Market Manager at Assintecal. He stressed the growth momentum of exports is sustained, especially in Latin American countries suffering from the high shipping costs from China.
The manager highlighted the increase in shipments to the United Arab Emirates and the Dominican Republic due to actions carried out in the first half of this year. “Exports to the UAE increased by 98% (to USD 947,200) and to the Dominican Republic by 43% (to USD 468,000). Both are the result of negotiations during the events Inspiramais in January, and APLF (a sector show in Dubai), in April,” he said.
China continues to be the primary destination for Brazilian products, even with growth below the average. The main products shipped to the Asian country were chemicals for leather treatment. From January to May, exports to China totaled USD 39.88 million, 11% more than in the same period last year.
The second leading buyer in the period was Argentina, which imported the equivalent of USD 39.2 million in Brazilian components, 60% more than in the first five months of 2021. Portugal clinched the third spot with USD 24.3 million, up 49% over the same period.
The primary exporting Brazilian states from January to May were Rio Grande do Sul, with USD 100.5 million, 17% more than in the same period of 2021; São Paulo, with USD 17.88 million, 31% up; and Bahia, with USD 16 million, 72% more.
In the first five months of the year, the primary export by the sector was leather chemicals, with a 9% growth. Then came the uppers segment, up 24%; chemicals for footwear (e.g., adhesives), also up 24%; soles, with 66% growth; synthetic laminates, with a 26% increase; and Insoles with a 27% expansion.
Assintecal has been engaged in expanding the leather-footwear sector for over three decades. Its work is recognized for dialogues with all government spheres, consolidation of the international market, and fashion research and content development. The entity brings together a sector with over three thousand companies.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
