During the month of May, Brazil exported 8.36 million pairs of footwear valued at 71.65 million US dollars, lower records in both volume (-2.7%) and in revenue (-4.9%) when compared to similar period in the previous year.

With this result, accumulated footwear exports for the first five months of the year reached 48.63 million pairs with a total value of 367.48 million, up by 1.7% in volume, but down by 4.7% in value, if compared to similar period in 2015 (47.8 million pairs with a total value of 385.44 million US dollars).

For Heitor Klein, Executive President of Abicalçados, the Brazilian Shoe Manufacturers Association (Abicalçados), exchange rate fluctuation caused by internal political and economic issues has led to widespread uncertainty and impacted prices: "Unfortunately, we can only reap the benefits of a valued dollar when the Brazilian political and economic situation finds a way. From the point of view of price formation, it's better to have a weaker US dollar than have constant fluctuations".

Despite the decline in the overall exports, Klein underlined the recovery of important markets for Brazilian footwear. In the first five months of 2016, the biggest buyer Brazilian footwear, the United States, acquired 5.3 million pairs for 80.3 million US dollars, increasing both in quantity (20%) and value (17%), when compared to similar period last year.

Argentina imported 2.8 million pairs valued at 34.5 million US dollars, up by 111% in quantity and 61.5% in value, when compared to similar period last year.

France, in third place in the top of main buyers of Brazilian shoes, acquired 4.48 million pairs for 22.8 million US dollars in the period, down by 2% in pairs and down by 4.2% less in value.