São Paulo – For the fourth consecutive month, Brazilian footwear exports have declined, according to data shown this Monday (10) by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (ABICALÇADOS). In August, the country exported 8.8 million pairs for revenues of USD 82.9 million, which represents a 7.3% decline in volume and a 9.2% drop in revenues in comparison to August 2017.
From January to August, the country exported 69 million pairs worth USD 628.3 million, a drop of 10.2% in revenues in comparison to the same period of 2017. “Despite the appreciation of the dollar against the real, which would make the Brazilian product more competitive abroad, there’s a widespread depreciation of the currencies of the main foreign clients against the North America currency, which negates the positive impact the fact could have on exports,” said ABICALÇADOS’ CEO, Heitor Klein.
Argentina, the major buyer of Brazilian footwear abroad, is facing a turbulent economic period and saw its currency lose 50% of its value against the dollar in 2018. To Klein, it’s unlikely exports will see a recovery in the next few months. “If we see some improvement, it will come from November and December, when exports of the autumn-winter collections begin,” he predicted.
Destinations
Despite the downturn, Argentina remains at the top spot among buyers of Brazilian footwear. August saw a 14% decline in volume to the neighboring country, while revenues jumped 16% in comparison to August 2017.
The second spot remains with the United States, with last month’s exports to the country ing an increase of 9.3% in volume and of 13.4% in revenues in the same comparison. remains in third place, but it has bought 41.6% less in August in volume and 20.5% less in revenues in the same comparison.
Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
