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Brazilian Footwear projects growth in Germany
With a slight increase in sales for the Germans, Brazil is preparing for GDS

With a slight increase in sales for the Germans, Brazil is preparing for GDS The shoe industries in Brazil have good prospects in the international market in 2010. Even though in some countries the return to consumption is not yet at full capacity, the Brazilian companies do not discontinue investing in international stocks. This can be proven by the presence of 19 brands in GDS - trade fair which takes place from March 12 to 14 in Düsseldorf/Germany. It will be the opportunity for the group to expose their launches for autumn-winter 2011 in the Northern Hemisphere. Again, they rely on the support of Brazilian Footwear. Footwear Exportations Promotion Program, developed by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investments Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) connected to the Federal Government.

In 2009, even with a decline in purchases around the world, Germany was one of the countries that showed an increase in the purchase of Brazilian shoes, becoming the eighth country in the export of shoes from Brazil. This is due mainly to the average price paid by German importers, which is US$ 17.37, because of the quality of the shoes that are sold. German retailers bought 1.7 million pairs, worth US$ 29.5 million. These data represent an increase of 1.3% in volume and 2.2% in monetary terms.

"We have a highly skilled industrial park, a large supply of raw materials and all the necessary infrastructure to provide excellence not only for the German market, but for the entire Europe", Vivian Laube, marketing assistant of Brazilian Footwear and responsible for the participation of Brazilian companies in the event, notes.

Brazil will be represented by the companies Pegada, Ramarim, Piccadilly, Nicolla Mezzi, Tryon, Malu, Klin, Bottero, Pé com Pé, Kidy, Bical, and Pampili (which will be assembled in a collective stand) and Grendene, Via Uno, Miezko, Anatomic & Co, Beira Rio, Sapatoterapia, and Democrata - which will exhibit in individual spaces.

Europe is the main buyer
For the Brazilian footwear manufacturers, Europe plays a fundamental role in their foreign trade relations, when sales by continent are analyzed. Last year, the Old Continent was Brazil?s main buyer. Europe bought 26.6 million pairs in 2009, generating US$ 485.7 million. The average price of shoes purchased by Europeans was US$ 18.28 last year.

Analysis of the Brazilian industry:
Brazil is now the third largest footwear producer in the world and fourth largest exporter. With a production of around 800 million pairs, the footwear sector directly employs 300 thousand people. The country has a shoe complex that is considered the largest one in the world, because the country houses not only shoe factories, but also machinery, equipment, and components factories, tanneries, service providers, specialized laboratories and universities. In 2009, Brazil exported to exactly 146 countries on five continents.

ASCom Abicalçados/Brazilian Footwear:
Elizabeth Renz
E-mail:imprensa@abicalcados.com.br
Caren Souza
E-mail:caren@abicalcados.com.br

Tel: 55 51 3594-7011
www.brazilianfootwear.com.br - link

ASCom Apex-Brasil:
Thiago Tiburcio
E-mail:thiago.tiburcio@apexbrasil.com.br
Tel: 55 61 3426-0371
www.apexbrasil.com.br - link

Press release
January/2010