São Paulo – Brazilian leather exports totalled US$ 714 million from January until May, representing growth of 79% over the first five months of last year, according to data disclosed by the Confederation of Brazilian Hides and Skins Industries (CICB).
The main destinations of Brazilian products were Italy, with US$ 172.6 million in purchases; China, with US$ 163.6 million; Hong Kong, with US$ 76.2 million, and the United States, with US$ 70.9 million. Germany, Mexico, Vietnam, the Netherlands and South Korea were important markets for Brazilian leather as well.
In May, sales were lower than expected. Exports totalled US$ 158 million, representing a decline of 1% over April. According to the chairman of the CICB, Wolfgang Goerlich, the international market is sluggish again, especially for the types of leather that compete directly against the Brazilian product.
According to a statement issued by the organization, the decline is due to the occurrence of new international financial issues, with an emphasis on the European Union crisis.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
