Footwear exports totaled US$ 320.65 million until March

Data by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) indicate that, in March, footwear exports totalled 3.17 million pairs, generating US$ 111.6 million in revenue. Compared to the corresponding month of last year, these results were superior both in volume (+57.5%) and revenue (+7%).

As a result, from January through March, footwear exports already totalled 40.74 million pairs, generating US$ 320.65 million, increases of 27.3% and 65.8%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2021.7

The executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, comments that there is an increase in international demand, especially in the United States, the leading destination for Brazilian footwear abroad. “We are seeing an expressive demand from major North American players, who are seeking to replace Chinese imports due to high freight costs and also to avoid the surcharge (of 7.5%) applied to shoes from the Asian country”, evaluates the executive

In addition to the increase in shipments to the United States, footwear manufacturers have recorded good results in exports to their Latin American neighbours in March, which are also concerned about the rising freight costs from Asia. “There is a global issue of rising transportation costs hampering Asian imports. In this context, the Brazilian footwear industry appears to be the best option since it is the largest outside of Asia and, more importantly, because it can meet the international demand for products with a focus on quality, design, and sustainability,” adds Ferreira.

U.S

The United States continues to be the main destination for Brazilian footwear abroad. Between January and March, 6 million pairs were exported there, generating US$ 88.7 million, increasing both in volume (+83.3%) and revenue (+120%) compared to the same period last year.

Check below the track record of Brazilian footwear exports to the US in 2021. The data are from DataLiner.

Footwear exports (HS 64) from Brazil to the US | 2021 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The second main destination for Brazilian footwear, in the quarter, was Argentina. In the period, Argentine imported 3.2 million pairs, for which US$ 36.2 million were paid, higher numbers both in volume (+43.4%) and in revenue (+77.6%) compared to the same period of 2021.

Having increased 39% in volume and 41.4% in revenue compared to 2021, France ranks third among Brazilian footwear importers. During the period, 3 million pairs were shipped to the European country, generating US$ 20.5 million.

The fourth most common destination was Chile. In the quarter, 733 thousand pairs were exported there, for which US$ 12.2 million were paid, increases of 80% and 116%, respectively, in relation to the same period last year.

With twice as many shoes from China, imports grew 35% in March.

In March, 3.76 million pairs entered Brazil, for which US$ 35.46 million were paid, up 35% in volume and 7% in revenue compared to the corresponding month of last year. Footwear imports from China were the main highlight for the period, which in March increased 103% in pairs and 93.5% in revenue compared to last March (2.4 million pairs and US$ 7 million).

“China regained its first place among footwear exporters to Brazil. That is concerning because these pieces are sold at an extremely low average price of less than US$ 3 per pair, which indicates dumping. In other words, the value established for exports is different from the prices in the domestic market, which is considered illegal by the WTO,” warns Ferreira. As a result, in the quarter, Chinese imports totalled 5 million pairs and US$ 38.7 million, numbers that are higher both in volume (+48.2%) and in revenue (+53%) compared to the same period in 2021.

The second most common origin of imported footwear was Vietnam, which, in March, shipped 800,000 pairs to Brazil, for which they received US$ 16.17 million, down 23% and 16.3%, respectively, compared to the same month of last year. As a result, in the quarter, Vietnamese footwear imports totalled 1.97 million pairs and US$ 38.7 million (down 11.5% in volume and 9.3% in revenue compared to 2021).

The third most common origin imported by Brazil was Indonesia. In March, 271,750 pairs were imported from there, for which US$ 6 million were paid, a 15.4% drop in volume and a 13.8% increase in revenue compared to March last year. As a result, Indonesian imports totalled 746,740 pairs and US$ 15.54 million, up 16.6% and 47% in the comparison between the quarters of 2021 and 2022.

See below the track record of Brazilian footwear imports from China, Indonesia and Vietnam in 2021. Data are from DataLiner.

Brazilian footwear import (HS 64) from China, Indonesia and Vietnam | 2021 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

In parts – uppers, heels, soles, insoles, etc. – quarterly imports totalled US$ 5.9 million, 0.3% more than in the same period last year. The main origins were China, Vietnam and Paraguay.

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