Brazilian leather exports up by 8% from January to May 2001
Brazilian leather exports increased 8% in volume between January and May 2001 year-on-year, reaching a total of 91 million kilos. And as the average price was higher than that for the same period of last year, export turnover was 29% higher, reaching US$ 368 million.
Data provided by the federal government for the same period shows that although Italy remained the main export market for Brazilian market, its share of the total was reduced compared to last year (40% as opposed to 50%). Exports to Uruguay increased by an incredible 931% in piece number terms, no doubt stimulated by exporters seeking to avoid last December’s 9% duty on wet blue exports to non-Mercosur countries (since extended to all Mercosur countries).
Either way, the duty appears to have the effect the legislators intended since wet blue exports fell 6% in volume terms year-on-year, making more available to domestic leather goods producers. Exports of crust rose by 110% while finished leather export numbers remained unchanged.
