Brazilian leather exports fall 42%
Brazilian leather exports totalled $1 billion during the first eleven months of 2009, according to the Brazilian Tanners Council (CICB). This represents a decline of approximately 42% year-on-year.
There is a glimmer of hope, however, as there has been an improvement since November, when leather exports rose 11% compared with the same month last year. Exports for the month totalled $115.3 million.
CICB chairman, Wolfgang Goerlich, said revenues would be down by around 40%, or $700 million, for the year. "Our goal for 2010 is to recover at least 50% of this difference, that is, something around $350 million, while redoubling efforts to expand sales in the domestic market," he said.
He claims the economic downturn, high interest rates and excessive bureaucracy have contributed to the decline.
