UAE’s footwear imports from Brazil increased by 45 per cent to reach a value of $6.4 million during the first three months of this year from $4.5 million over the same period in 2014, while Saudi Arabia’s revenues jumped 3.8 per cent to $7.9 million, according to recent data.

The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) cited figures recently released by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados) showing the significant increase in the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s Brazilian shoe imports.

The data revealed that two Arab states were among the top importers of Brazilian shoes during the first quarter of 2015, demonstrating anew the steadily growing trade relations between the region and the South American nation.

The findings showed that the revenue surge could also be attributed to the fact that the UAE bought shoes at a lower average price in 2015. Early last year, the price averaged at $10.63 and dropped to $9.32 during the same timeframe this year.

Volume-wise, UAE bought 700,800 pairs of shoes from Brazil as compared to 424,200 pairs last year. This represented a significant growth of 65.2 per cent.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia’s Brazilian shoe imports also climbed in the first quarter of 2015. The revenues went up by 3.8 per cent to $ 7.9 million from $ 7.6 million during last year’s first quarter, while the number of pairs bought jumped by 5.7 per cent to 722,100 from 682,900.

Like the UAE, the Saudis paid less since the average price per pair in the first quarter of 2015 decreased by 1.8 per cent to $ 11.01 from $ 11.21 in 2014.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the only Arab countries to be included in the Abicalçados’ top 20 importers of Brazilian footwear, with the Kingdom landing 10th place and the Emirates placing 11th in the overall ranking.

Dr Michel Alaby, secretary general and CEO, ABCC, said: “The trade cooperation between the Arab states and Brazil is steadily growing as demonstrated by the Abicalçados’ data.”

“We are seeing the increasing demand for quality footwear amidst the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s booming populations and steady economic progress, prompting them to import the items from Brazil, their major trading partner, to address the need.

“Furthermore, the latest figures indicate how the Arab region remains an important market for Brazil. Shoe importation is just one aspect of their relations, and at ABCC, we are looking for more ways to bring this collaboration to new heights in the coming years,” he added.

Other countries that made it to the Abicalçados’ top 20 importers for the first quarter of 2015 were the US, France, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Russia, Angola, United Kingdom, Australia, Peru, Italy, Germany, Philippines, Israel, Spain, and Ecuador.

Overall, the revenue for footwear exports from Brazil reached $241.5 million while shipped volume was at 31.6 million pairs. – TradeArabia News Service