According to Abicalçados, the Brazilian Footwear association, the fourth month of the year represented the first set back in the footwear exports. Data from the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC) estimates a drop of 24.8% in revenue generated by exports in April in comparison with the previous month. Comparing with the same month of 2014, the decline was 19.7%.

In April sales abroad of 7.5 million pairs generated 68.5 million US dollars, a decline of 30.2% in quantity and 24.8% in value. This interrupts a positive growth trend registered in the last three months. Accumulated in the first four months of 2015, export of 39.2 million pairs generated 310.1 million US dollars, a 13.9% and 15.4% decline in value and quantity, respectively, if compared to similar period in 2014.

Heitor Klein, Executive President of Abicalçados, said that the negative picture of exports is worrying and reflects the loss of competitiveness of Brazilian industry at a time when the dollar fluctuation would give greater impetus to exports. According to Mr. Klein, the expected increase for exports becomes threatened with measures of the Federal government, the increasing levels of inflation, the cost of electricity, among others known as "Brazil Cost". Mr. Klein stated: "We already have one of the largest production costs in the world and now, amid the recession, a new adjustment is proposed, which will burden the industry even more (..) It is not just the industry that will pay the bill, but the entire Brazilian society". Mr. Klein highlighted the loss of 24 000 jobs in the first three months of the year compared to the same quarter of 2014.

Worth particular note is the US, the main destination for Brazilian footwear, representing 18% in total value of exports. In the first four months of the year, Brazil exported 3.7 million pairs of shoes to the US, valued at 55.9 million US dollars. Despite the fall in quantity (-13.3%), the average price paid by American companies increased by 11.6%.

France is the second most important market for Brazilian footwear (6% share in total exports), Argentina (5.5%) and Bolivia (5.0%).