Brazilian footwear exports fell to $910 million in the first half of 2006 compared with exports of $921.4 million in the same period last year.

According to the Brazilian Association of Shoe Manufacturers (Abicalçados), 94.6 million pairs of shoes were shipped, an 8% drop compared with the period January to June in 2005.The decrease in was said to be due to the continued rise of the Brazilian real in relation to the US dollar.

The main importers of Brazilian shoes were the United States, which accounted for 37.7 million pairs worth $424.5 million and the United Kingdom with 10.7 million pairs worth $179.3 million.