Two of Brazil's major footwear manufacturers and exporters, Calçados Azaléia and West Coast, are considering moving some or all of their production to Asia.

Marketing director of Calçados Azaléia, Paulo Santana, explained, “Between 2004 and 2006, Brazilian shoe exports fell 50% as a result of an overvalued real and other problems that have restricted Brazilian footwear sales in the international market.” The company’s exports fell from 8.9 million pairs, worth $56.4 million, in 2004 to 4.4 million pairs, worth $36 million, in 2006. In 2005, the company—which exports goods to 60 countries and regions—saw revenues fall 33% in volume and 24.5% in dollars.

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