Brazilian exports affected by lower freight charges

A significant drop in freight charges is said to be helping Chinese producers to export more footwear around the world.

Almost 39 million pairs of boots, sandals and shoes valued at USD 328.4 million were exported by Brazil’s footwear manufacturers in the first quarter of this year. While this represented a 2.4 per cent increase in value compared to the same period in 2022, the volume declined by 5.7 per cent over that reported in the first three months of last year.

According to Haroldo Ferreira, president of Brazil’s footwear industry association Abicalçados, the country’s producers are experiencing more intense competition in international markets. This is particularly from Chinese companies which, following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, are now noticeably active again in export markets.

Mr Ferreira remarked that this ongoing challenge is also due, in part, to a dramatic drop in freight costs, explaining that when in March 2022, international freight costs were exceptionally high, retailers across Latin America and further afield were placing orders with Brazilian producers to avoid incurring high shipment charges for imports from China. However, he added, freight costs are almost 80 per cent lower than they were a year ago.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 2 of the May 2023 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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