Panama’s sandal industry hangs by a thread - footwearbiz: Leading site

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Panama’s sandal industry hangs by a thread

04/05/2016
The tanning sector in Panama has all but vanished and there appear to be serious consequences for the production of the country’s traditional cutarra sandals. Recent reports indicate that all but three leather producers in the Central American country have closed down.

These three remaining tanneries in the province of Los Santos have been told the government will work to help them survive.

Among the issues Panamanian tanners face is a ban on cutting mangroves, which they have traditionally used as a tanning agent. They also face difficulties in securing raw material as local meat companies appear happier to export the material than to sell in small volumes to locals.

Local media have expressed some support for the idea of preserving local traditions, especially as they do not like the idea of losing the cutarra, a typical artisan sandal that Panamanians like to wear, or having to import cutarras or the leather to make them from neighbouring Colombia.


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Panama leads Central America in footwear imports 28/09/2016

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