Footwear Exports increased 21%
in the first three months of 2010

The Brazilian footwear sector recorded a 21% increase in the volume of footwear exported from January to March this year. According to data from Abicalçados - Brazilian Association of the Footwear Industry 49 million pairs footwear were sent abroad.

Last year, during the same period, the volume had been 40.8 million. Sales also showed a positive reaction and ended the period with an increase of 10%. Exporters obtained US$423.6 million in export currency.
The increase both in volume and in invoicing was boosted by the resuming of purchases of the potential markets like the U.S., which bought 15.2 million pairs, that is 32% more compared to 2009 first quarter.
Total invoicing amounted to US$ 100 million, a 0.4% increase over last year same period. The average price was US$ 6.58, indicating a 24% reduction. The U.S. share of total Brazilian exports in volume was 31% whilst the turnover share was 24%.

The United Kingdom, Brazil second largest buyer increased by 25% the volume imported by acquiring 2.6 million pairs. Italy, in turn, became the third major importer, with a volume of 2.5 million pairs.