Brazilian leather exports continue their upward trajectory. This month’s balance shows an increase of 17,7% in volume of hides and skins sold to foreign markets in comparison to May 2015. Figures come from the Department of Foreign Trade from the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC), following analysis carried out by the Department of Commercial Intelligence at CICB (the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry).

This May, 17,224 million square meters were sold to foreign markets, compared to 14,635 million exported in May 2015. From this total, 74,4% are represented by finished and semi-finished leather, which means higher aggregate value. In fact, this leather category has grown above all others during 2016: high of 113,7% (semi-finished) and 18,7% (finished) in volume sold to the international market in the first five months of the year in relation to the same period in 2015.

Executive president of CICB, José Fernando Bello highlights the great efforts carried out by the entire leather industry as crucial factors for the positive numbers achieved this year. With support from the Brazilian Leather project, initiative coordinated in partnership between CICB and Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) for the promotion of Brazilian leather worldwide, both companies and CICB have invested in commercial missions, in the participation at trade fairs and marketing actions, giving a relevant support for Brazilian exports.

In May, these were the main countries responsible for buying Brazilian leather (in order of shipments): China and Hong Kong, Italy, the U.S., Vietnam, and Hungary. Ranking of major Brazilian exporter states in 2016 is as follows: Rio Grande do Sul (22,5% of total participation), São Paulo (20,8%), Goiás (15,1%), Paraná (8%), and Ceará (7,8%).

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