Footwear firms in Argentina protest against Brazilian imports
The footwear sector in Argentina is beginning to feel the effect of the country’s growing financial crisis. A second demonstration of bosses and workers from the footwear sector has been earmarked for December 18 to protest against the massive imports of Brazilian footwear into the local markets.
In 2000 Argentina imported 25 million pairs of shoes, 80% of which came from their Mercosur partner, Brazil. According to the Argentinean Footwear Association, Brazil now has 27% of the 70 million-pair per year domestic market. Brazil’s competitive edge has continued to increase over the last two years due to the devaluation of the Real relative to the Argentinean peso (which is fixed in parity to the US dollar). Those in the footwear sector see this as the primary reason why jobs are being lost and shoe factories closed.
