São Paulo – Saudi Arabia increased in 29% its purchases of footwear produced in Brazil in the first two months of this year and is now Brazil’s 7th largest importer, according to data by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados). In January, Saudi Arabia was at the 17th position in the ranking of international buyers of Brazilian footwear.
The percentage increase and ranking are based on revenues of the Brazilian exports to the Arab country. The Saudis spent USD 3.9 million with Brazilian footwear in January and February of this year. In volume, 330,900 pairs were imported in the same period, an increase of 3% over the first two months of last year.
Meanwhile, the UAE, another Arab country included in the list of the 20 largest purchasers of Brazilian footwear, remains in the same position of January: 16th place. Brazilian footwear exports to the UAE market declined 26.7% in revenues and 2% in volume in the first two months over the same period of 2015. Revenues stood at USD 2.8 million with the shipment of 391,000 unities.
The Saudis bought footwear of greater value while the UAE purchased products of lesser value. The average price of the pair imported by Saudi Arabia in January and February was USD 11.90, an increase of 25% over the first two months of 2015, and the average price of the pair purchased by the UAE declined 25% to USD 7.18. The United Arab Emirates is the focus of a exports promotion program by Abicalçados and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).
In all, Brazilian footwear exports declined 2.3% in revenues in the first two months of this year at USD 146.9 million, and increased 2% in volume to 21.3 million pairs. The average price dropped 4.2%, from USD 7.21 to USD 6.91. The largest buyers of Brazilian footwear were the United States, France, Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
