São Paulo – Brazilian exports of leather doubled in March. The country exported the equivalent of US$ 160.5 million, representing growth of 101% in comparison with the same month of last year. In the first quarter, sales of the product totalled US$ 395.8 million, representing an increase of 74% in revenues and 32% in shipped volume, compared with the same period of 2009. The data were disclosed today (15th) by the Confederation of Brazilian Hides and Skins Industries (CICB).
According to the president of the organization, Wolfgang Goerlich, the result points to a resumption of growth in the industry. For this year, the foreign sales projection is US$ 1.8 billion. If confirmed, the figure will represent growth of 60% over last year.
The leading markets for Brazilian leather in the first quarter were Italy, with US$ 96.57 million in imports; China, with US$ 92.36 million; and the United States, with US$ 41.17 million. Year-to-date, Germany, Mexico, Vietnam and South Korea also stood out as target markets for Brazilian exports.
According to the CICB, new markets that increased their leather imports include Singapore, Poland and Malaysia.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
