The analysis of Abicalçados shows that there are (i) macroeconomic and (ii) political factors that have been influencing the results: i. The trade war between the United States and China stands out, which ended up overtaxing Chinese shoes imported by American buyers; ii. The rising cost of freight from Asia, which has made buyers look for geographically closer suppliers.”
Data prepared by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) indicate that, between January and May, footwear exports totaled 64.24 million pairs, which generated US$ 538.72 million, an increase of 30.3% in volume and 66.5% in revenue compared to the same period last year. Separating only the month of May, shipments totaled 10.5 million pairs, which generated US$ 104 million, increases of 19.8% and 59.5%, respectively, compared to month five of 2021.
The executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, highlights that the increase in exports to the United States continues to be decisive for the positive performance. Between January and May, Brazilian footwear manufacturers shipped 10 million pairs there, which generated US$ 146.3 million, up both in volume (+87.2%) and in revenue (+108.6%) compared to to the same period last year. “Exports and footwear to the United States, in volume, are already almost 80% higher than those carried out in the same period of 2019, in the pre-pandemic period”, he says.
According to the executive, they also positively influence exports to South America, which are 30% above pre-pandemic levels. “There are macroeconomic and even political factors that have been influencing the results. In the political factor, the trade war between the United States and China stands out, which ended up overtaxing Chinese shoes imported by American buyers. In terms of macroeconomics, the highlight is the rising cost of freight from Asia, which has made buyers look for geographically closer suppliers. In this case, as we are the largest industry outside Asia, we appear as a relevant player”, says Ferreira.
The second destination for Brazilian footwear in the first five months of the year was Argentina, where 6.82 million pairs were shipped, which generated US$ 74.62 million, increases of 64% and 93.7%, respectively, compared to the same 2021 range.
In third place appears France, which in the period imported 4 million pairs for US$ 29.4 million, up 31% in volume and 25.2% in revenue compared to the same five months of last year .
States
Rio Grande do Sul continues to be the largest exporter of footwear in Brazil. Accounting for more than 45% of the value generated by shipments, between January and May, the Rio Grande do Sul factories shipped 18.17 million pairs, which generated US$ 246 million, increases of 53.7% and 80%, respectively, compared to the same 2021 range.
The second largest exporter in 2022 is Ceará, from which 19.67 million pairs for US$ 120.9 million came from, up 25.3% and 47.4%, respectively.
Then came São Paulo (4.13 million pairs and US$ 53.48 million, up 19.6% and 48.7%, respectively) and Paraíba (10.3 million pairs and US$ 34.67 million , 1% decrease in volume and 43% increase in revenue).
