Brazilian leather and footwear machinery exports to Mexico are said to be struggling due to similar Chinese products being offered at much lower prices. Brazilian manufacturers are said to be unable to compete due to the high exchange rate of the Real against the US dollar, the euro and other currencies.

Mexico has long been the largest export market for Brazilian leather and footwear machinery and the Mexican fair ANPIC has always been an important event for Brazilian export companies. However, the results at this year’s event were said to be far from satisfactory. According to Valter Broda, managing director of the Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Machinery and Equipment for the Leather, Footwear and Allied Industries (ABRAMEQ), 60% of the goods on show at ANPIC were made in China and were being offered at much lower prices than those of their Brazilian counterparts.

Due to the high exchange rate of the Real, Brazilian exhibitors claimed that they have lost their international competitiveness and received complaints at the show about the price increases of their equipment.