Though Brazilian footwear exports in July 2003 were down 10% on the year before, they rebounded the following month to $142 million, an 8% increase on the August 2002 figure.

In the seven months to July 31, the country’s footwear exports were flat at $878 million.  However, the sector is now hoping a stronger Real will put the industry back on track for its full year target figure. January to August, footwear exports increased 2% to $1,018 million. 

According to Abicalçados - Brazilian Association of Footwear Manufacturers - the August increase was the result of orders placed by importers to top up their stocks for the new season, starting September. Heitor Klein, managing director of Abicalçados, commented that althought the figures were positive, they were still below target. By the end of September, the sector had shipped exports worth $1.1 billion, 70% of the 2002 total of $1.45 billion and way short of the full year target of $1.7 billion.