Industry observers in Brazil believe demand for caprine leather there could double as a result of government measures to remove import duties on sheep and goat skins.

 

A proposal will go before parliament on August 16 to remove the current level of duty on hair- and wool-free caprine skins of 8%, making the material more attractive to footwear manufacturers across the country.

Footwear industry union representative João Donadelli has complained that most of Brazil's bovine leather is being exported, leaving local footwear manufacturers struggling to find quality leather to work with. He estimated that, with the removal of the 8% import duty, caprine leather could become the material of choice for around half the shoes manufactured in Brazil.

At the moment, between 15% and 20% of Brazilian-made footwear uses caprine leather.