Data prepared by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) indicate that footwear exports reached 7.8 million pairs and US$ 81.3 million in September, a drop of 7% in volume and 3.3% in revenue compared to the same month in 2023. This is the smallest drop recorded since the beginning of the year, which points to a cooling of negative rates. In the accumulated nine months of the year, exports totaled 71.64 million pairs and US$ 736.1 million, decreases in both volume (-21%) and revenue (-18.8%) compared to the same period in 2023.

The executive chairman of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that the movement was already expected by the entity, given the low base of comparison and the gradual recovery of US imports, which grew 4.2% in the first seven months of the year. The highlight of September, according to Ferreira, was the recovery of shipments to Argentina and the United States, the main destinations for Brazilian products abroad. “With the reduction of the drop in recent months, we should close the year with a setback between 14% and 19%”, projects Ferreira.

Hermanos
In September, Argentina surpassed the United States and was the main destination for Brazilian footwear abroad. In month nine, exports to the hermanos totaled 2.18 million pairs and US$ 25.62 million, high both in volume (+112.5%) and in revenue (+48%) compared to the same month of 2023. In the accumulated nine months, Argentina adds the import of 9 million pairs and US$ 154.3 million, decreases of 23.8% and 16.7%, respectively, compared to the same interval last year.

USA
In month nine, Brazilian exports to the United States totaled 740.47 thousand pairs and US$ 17.22 million, high both in volume (+31.1%) and revenue (+32%) compared to September 2023. In the accumulated nine months, exports to the United States totaled 7.7 million pairs and US$ 165 million, decreases of 2.7% and 5.2%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Paraguay was the third destination for Brazilian footwear exports. In September, 520.4 thousand pairs were shipped to the neighboring country for US$ 4 million, a drop of 42% and 24.5%, respectively, compared to September 2023. Year-to-date, exports to Paraguay totaled 6 million pairs and US$ 32.3 million, decreases both in volume (-21.8%) and revenue (-14.5%) compared to the same period last year.

RS: largest exporter in recovery
The main footwear exporting state in Brazil continues to be Rio Grande do Sul, which in September shipped 2.9 million pairs for US$ 42.43 million, increases in both volume (+9.5%) and revenue (+7.4%) compared to the same month of 2023. In the accumulated of the year, the Gaucho factories add the shipment of 24.14 million pairs for US$ 370.57 million, decreases of 11.5% and 11.4%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Registering a strong drop in exports in September, Ceará remains Brazil's second largest footwear exporter. In the ninth month, 1.87 million pairs left the factories of Ceará for US$ 10.9 million, drops of 18.3% and 31.6%, respectively, compared to the same month last year. In the accumulated nine months, exports from Ceará totaled 21.55 million pairs and US$ 145.33 million, decreases in both volume (-20.8%) and revenue (-27.7%) compared to the same interval last year.

In third place among Brazilian footwear exporters appeared São Paulo, which in September shipped 579 thousand pairs for US$ 8.83 million, a decrease of 4% in volume and an increase of 9.8% in revenue compared to the ninth month of 2023. Year-to-date, São Paulo exports totaled 4.3 million pairs and US$ 66.32 million, decreases in both volume (-27.2%) and revenue (-22%) compared to the same period last year.

Imports up 79% in September
September footwear imports recorded the highest increase in 2024. In the month, 3.22 million pairs entered Brazil for US$ 50.8 million, increases both in volume (+79%) and revenue (+61.6%) when compared to September 2023. In the accumulated nine months of the year, imports totaled 27 million pairs and US$ 351.25 million, increases of 17.3% and 1%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

The main sources of imports continue to be Asian countries, with emphasis on Vietnam and Indonesia. In September, imports from Vietnam totaled 1.25 million pairs and US$ 24.54 million, increases in both volume (+70.3%) and revenue (+54%) compared to the same month of 2023. In 2024, imports from Vietnam reached 8.94 million pairs and US$ 166.45 million, an increase of 17% in volume and a decrease of 2.4% in revenue compared to the corresponding period last year.

Indonesia's footwear imports in September totaled 1 million pairs and US$ 15.6 million, with significant increases of 285% and 160%, respectively, compared to the same month in 2023. Year-to-date, imports from Indonesia totaled 4.7 million pairs and US$ 77 million, increases in both volume (+44%) and revenue (+17.5%) compared to the same period in 2023.

Closing the ranking of the origins of footwear imported by Brazil comes China, which in September shipped to Brazil 187.55 thousand pairs for US$ 2.84 million, drops of 40% and 5.7%, respectively, compared to the same month of 2023. In the accumulated nine months, 7.94 million Chinese pairs entered Brazil, for which US$ 30.17 million were paid, decreases of 6% and 23%, respectively, compared to the same interval last year.

In parts - uppers, heels, soles, insoles, etc. - imports from January to September totaled US$ 26.7 million, 27.7% more than in the same period last year. The main origins were China, Paraguay and the United States.

Check out the full tables here.