Not only did billings rise by 34% in the period covered (January-May 2007) compared with the same period in 2006, but exports increased dramatically to non-traditional and smaller buyers of Brazilian leather.

The Brazilian leather industry is fast turning into one of the country’s top earnings generators, despite an overvalued local currency. Their long-term strategy is to increase the bovine herd population on the vast Brazilian plains and to make further investments in machinery, equipment and training, with the aim of earning more hard currency and generating employment.