During 2020 Guatemala remained in the lead in regional imports with $51.5 million and the largest supplier of the year was China with 39.3%, in the year-on-year variation of Central America decreased by 14.76% by obtaining only $629.7 million compared to 2019 with $755.4 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
The Dominican Republic's National Student Welfare Institute bids for school shoes for the 2021-2022 cycle.
Dominican Republic government purchase INABIE-CCC-LPN-2021-0010:
"Details of footwear required:
School shoes must cover from the foot to the ankle, to provide protection and comfort to students' feet during school hours. The school shoe must meet the specifications established by the National Student Welfare Institute.
During January in the Dominican Republic the Monthly Index of Manufacturing Activity registered a 4% decrease with respect to the previous month, variation that is explained by a contraction in the volume of sales and production.
When comparing the figures with those reported at the end of 2019, an increase is registered, since in January the Monthly Index of Manufacturing Activity (IMAM) of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) increased to 62.5, while in November 2019 it was 53.2 and went up to 58.7 in December 2019.
Because of the crisis that has been generated in several Asian countries by the presence of the coronavirus, the organizers of ExpoTrend Summer 2020 reported that the international event is suspended.
The event was to take place from February 10-12 at the Atlapa Convention Center in the Panamanian capital, however, due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has spread to several Asian cities, it was decided to cancel it.
In 2018, Central American countries imported $739 million in footwear and footwear parts, and 32% of the imported value came from China, 7% from the U.S., 5% from Vietnam and 4% from Brazil.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Imports of footwear and clothing fell 8% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2017, and production in the country contracted by around 30%.
According to representatives of the guilds of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Leather Shoes (CNCC), and the Nicaraguan Chamber of Leather and Footwear (Camcunic), in the first six months the local production of clothing and footwear has decreased by about 30%.
Re-exporters in the Colon Free Zone are seeking to attract companies from Peru, Uruguay, Brazil and Mexico, to compensate for some they of the businesses that have lost due to the taxes imposed by Colombia.
Nearly 70 companies in the Colon Free Zone (CFZ) are among the most affected by the tariff measures imposed by Colombia, the main importer of footwear and textiles that is re-exported from the FTA to Latin America.Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that this is added to"... Venezuela's economic condition and a drop in purchases from Caribbean countries."
Between January and June 2017, the region imported $319 million worth of footwear and its parts, and purchases from the United States and Spain increased by 6% and 38%, respectively.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Footwear and its Parts, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
In Guatemala, SMEs are being invited to take part in the next Central American Manufexport fair, to be held in Antigua, in September 2018.
A call is being made to SMEs from the sectors of food and beverages, hygiene and personal care, cleaning for the home, plastic products, cosmetics, and other manufactured goods to participate in a business conference which will take place on the 26th and 27th of September 2018 in Antigua, Guatemala.
Local manufacturers are demanding better controls on the illegal entry of shoes, which on top of the breach in labeling rules by some traders, is harming the sector.
Local shoemakers claim that non-compliance with the labeling standard on shoes sold in some stores results in sales made at very low prices, generating unfair competition, which, combined with smuggling, is having a negative effect on the sector.
In 2016 Central American countries imported $28 million worth of footwear and parts from Mexico, 7% more than in 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Footwear and its parts, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
In 2015 Panama led the importation of footwear and related materials in the region, with $234 million, followed by Costa Rica, which imported $155 million, and in third place Guatemala, with $154 million.
Data from the report Foreign Trade Office on Shoes, similar articles and related materials,prepared by Business Intelligence Unit at Centralamericadata.com shows that in 2015 the countries of the region imported $757 million, corresponding to a volume of 84,484 tons.
The Honduran government has announced that the footwear and clothing company plans to set up a plant to manufacture its products in the north of the country.
From a statement issued by the President of Honduras:
Tegucigalpa, 24 August.The facilities that Honduras offers for investment are attracting internationally recognized brands, such as the case of the sportswear manufacturing company Nike, which in the coming days will set up a plant in the country which will generate about 25 thousand jobs.
Between January and March this year the sector generated $10.8 million from exporting footwear, mainly to the United States.
Although in a more timid manner, Salvadoran footwear exports have been growing in recent years, driven in part by an increase in the production of leather and footwear, which in 2015 grew by 10% compared to the previous year.
Elsalvador.com reports that "...Exports range from footwear made of leather or composition leather (the main export), shoes made of textile materials, with rubber or plastic soles, waterproof, and even spare parts. The United States is according to the balance of the Central Reserve Bank, the main destination for exports. It is followed by Central America. From 2010 to March 2016, the country exported $139.3 million to that destination, out of a total of $289.5 million sent to destinations around the world."