Brazil's shoe sector rallies but leather products falter
Brazilian footwear exports reached 76.7 million pairs worth $736.4 million in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 7.1% in volume and stable revenue compared with the same period last year, according to the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados).
In September, exports totalled 9.2 million pairs and $85.3 million, up 18% and 5%, respectively, versus the same month in 2024.
The president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, said footwear exports for the month were supported by growth in shipments to Latin American destinations, especially in the synthetic-material footwear segment. “We would be posting better results without the impacts of the contraction in the US market. Leather footwear, produced to order, faces greater difficulty in finding alternative markets in the short term.”
US president Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods. It was previously the biggest market for Brazilian shoes, but in September, Argentina bought the most. During the month, US purchases of Brazilian shoes dropped by around a quarter.
In September, Brazilian imports totalled $49.7 million and 3.4 million pairs, a 5% increase in volume. However, those coming from China increased 70%. “With the 30% tariff applied to Chinese products in the US, their manufacturers have been intensifying their exports to other countries, including Brazil,” added Ferreira.
