São Paulo – The export volume of Brazilian footwear to the United Arab Emirates grew by 43.3% in the first half of the year, compared with the same period of 2010. It was the third highest rate of growth out of the 25 leading foreign buyers of the industry, after Angola, whose purchases rose by 75%, and Cuba, which imported 57% more. A total of 483 shoe pairs were shipped to the Arab country, according to statistics supplied by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados). The United Arab Emirates ranks 25th in the Brazilian footwear industry’s foreign target list.
In terms of revenues, sales to the Emirates reached US$ 6 million from January to June this year, as against US$ 5.4 million in the same period of 2010. The figure represents an increase of 9.4%, which means that Brazil sold footwear at lower costs to that country this year. In the first half of last year, the average price of one pair of shoes shipped was US$ 16.11, as against US$ 12.3 in the first half of this year.
Saudi Arabia was the other Arab country among the 25 leading importers of the industry, at 15th. The number of pairs shipped to the region from January to June 2011 was 851, as against 640 from January to June 2010. The figures represent growth of 33%. Revenues increased by 60%, from US$ 6.2 million to US$ 10 million, meaning that Brazil sold footwear at higher prices to the Saudis. The average price was US$ 9.75 last year and US$ 11.75 this year. The Saudis ranked fourth in the list of target markets for Brazilian footwear that grew the most in the world.
The leading target was the United States, with US$ 124 million in revenues and 6,420 pairs. Revenues from the country’s imports, however, declined by 34%, and the number of pairs shipped dropped by 71%. The trend reflected on the overall first-half export performance of the industry, resulting in a 11.5% drop in revenues, down to US$ 662 million, and a 27.6% drop in volume, down to 56,807 pairs of shoes.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
