On top of this, Abicalçados, the Brazilian Shoe Manufacturers Association, is worried by the growing sense of protectionism in the area, namely in Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia. Representatives from the Association met with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Services, in October, to discuss some of the concerns regarding trade with neighbouring countries.

Over the first 6 months of the current year total footwear exports totaled 57.92 million pairs with a value of 451.48 million US dollars (56.06 million pairs with a total value of 463.92 million US dollars over the same period last year).

Between January and June the United States bought 6.3 million pairs with a total value of 102.54 million US dollars. Exports to this market increased by 24.3% in volume and 17.4% in dollars in relation to the same period last year. The US has been the main destination market for Brazilian footwear since the first shipments in the 1960s; however, in recent years, Brazil has lost US market share to Asian competitors.

The 2nd main destination market was Argentina which imported 3.32 million pairs between January and June, paying 41.43 million US dollars, 85.3% more in pairs and 56.8% more in dollars compared with the same period last year.

Exports to France, the 3rd largest market for Brazilian footwear, with 4.75 million pairs valued at 28.56 million US dollars, suffered a drop both in pairs (-1.7%) and value (-6.2%) in relation to the same period last year.

Bolivia is next: 3.67 million pairs with a global value of 23.68 million US dollars, an 11.8% increase in terms of volume, but a 4.2% reduction in terms of value, if compared to the same period last year.