São Paulo – Brazilian exports dropped 26% in the first seven months of the year as against the same period in 2010, according to figures disclosed by the Brazilian Association of Shoe Manufacturers (Abicalçados). In total, shipments reached 66 million pairs. Revenues totalled US$ 777 million, a reduction of 13.7% over the first months of the previous year.
The reduction may be explained by the fact that traditional buyers are reducing their imports. Purchases by the United States dropped 70%, from 24 million to 7 million pairs. Revenues obtained with sales to the country dropped 36%, from US$ 229 million to US$ 146 million. The United Kingdom cut imports by half and Italy’s purchases also fell.
On the other lane, Brazilian imports of shoes rose 19% in the period, with purchases reaching 21 million pairs. In the same period of last year, they were at 17.6 million pairs. In revenues, imports rose 44%, from US$ 167 million from January to July 2010 to US$ 240 million up to the end of the seventh month of this year.
*Translated by Mark Ament
