SAO PAULO, Brazil — The Brazilian economy is growing at a 2.5 percent growth rate this year following a one percent increase in 2012 in sharp contrast to greater growth in previous years. 

Inflation is also heating up in Brazil to about six percent but this has not slowed down the activities of important Brazilian fabric importers. 

Major decorative fabric wholesalers, namely Donatelli and Beraldin and upholstery king Artefacto are still expanding their businesses by focusing on the higher end of the market. 

These three companies prefer to bypass Chinese goods for the mass market according to those interviewed by Fabrics & Furnishings International. 

The weakening Real however, has meant that prices for these imported goods are going up. The Brazilian currency has dropped 2.5 per US dollar in January, 2013 to 2.16 in the third quarter according to statistics provided by the Central Bank of Brazil.