São Paulo – Brazilian shoes sales to the United Arab Emirates presented a 90.8% growth in revenue and a 172.2% in pairs numbers in January, according to the report released by the Brazilian Association of Shoe Manufacturer (Abicalçados). The total volume shipped to the Arab country was 465,000 pairs, with a revenue of more than USD 2.8 million, which represents around 3% of the total exports by Brazil.
“Looking specifically at the exports to the UAE, they were driven by the flip-flop sandals, which grew 433% in volume in relation to January of last year. It is noteworthy that the import of this Brazilian product accounts for more than 50% roll,” reported Abicalçados market intelligence coordinator Priscila Linck in a release ANBA.
In the first month of the year, Brazil registered shipping 15 million pairs to more than 150 destinations, with a USD 99.3 million revenue, increasing 33,4% in volume and 23% in revenue compared to January 2018.
“There is a positive effect in Brazilian exports, observed since the last quarter of 2018, which is diluted in all markets. There is no highlight or difference specific to the UAE. The trend is due mostly to the international stabilization, relenting trade tensions, and the currency board,” added Linck.
The main destinations of Brazilian shoes in January were the United States, French, Argentine and the United Kingdom, in this order. Over the month, the Americans bought 1.67 million pairs for USD 18.47 million, an 80% growth in volume and a 52% one in revenue over the same month in 2018.
“The perception of a recovery in the American market, specially considering the possibility of an extra taxation on Chinese shoes in USA, is being confirmed,” said Abicalçados president Heitor Klein in the release published by the association. According to him, Brazil should occupy the space left by the Asian show in that market.
France imported 1.77 million Brazilian pairs for USD 9 million, a 4% and a 21% drop respectively if compared to January 2018. There was also a decrease in sales to Argentina, according to Abicalçados, because of its economic crisis and to preserve its exchange reserves. In January, the neighbor country bought 333,270 pairs for USD 4.3 million, a 2% decrease in pairs and a 24.6% in revenue compared to January 2018.
The United Kingdom bough more Brazilian shoes in January: 307,300 pairs for USD 3.54 million, a 231% climb in volume and 115% in dollars in the same comparative. “Amid heated debates over its exit from the European Union, that country seems to be diversifying their shoe suppliers,” assessed Klein in the release.
The Abicalçados president reported yet that the positive number in exports was driven by the shipped volume from Ceará, which climbed by almost 60% in relation to January of last year. “There is a recovery movement in shipping, already felt in the final months of the last year,” he commented. According to Klein, the more stable exchange and the recovery of the US market are also important indicators.
A total of 7.3 million pairs were shipped from Ceará, yielding USD 38 million – increases of 44.3% and 56.8% respectively over January 2018. The second largest exporter state was Rio Grande do Sul, with 2.37 million shipped pairs, generating USD 37,9 million, representing a 26.8% climb in volume and 9.2% in dollars in the same comparative. The third source of exports was the state of São Paulo, with 510,200 pairs shipped for USD 7.35 million, a 25.5% climb and 5.2% respectively in the same comparative.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
