Did you know that the interior of São Paulo is home to one of the largest toy production centers in the world? Laranjal Paulista, 2 hours from the capital, has gained international fame by consolidating itself as the heart of this industry in Brazil, even receiving the title of Toy Capital for making children all over the country happy.
Or should I say – the whole continent. The city has already sold more than 22 million dollars worth of toys to countries such as Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay. But how did a town of just 27,000 inhabitants become a global reference in such a strong industry? Check out the details!
Understand how the Capital of Toys came to be
When it comes to entertainment, Laranjal Paulista leaves the rest of Brazil behind. Today, the city is home to more than 30 factories in the sector, making it the largest hub in Latin America and the third largest in the world for toy manufacturing. To give you an idea, the industry employs more than 4,000 people directly and accounts for around 60% of the town’s economy.
The secret to this success began in the 1950s, when fabric factories in Laranjal Paulista decided to invest in toys. Over time, production strengthened and brought in even more investors, turning it into the giant it is today.
In 2021, the city was named the State Capital of Toys. And soon, it could become the National Capital too! A bill in the Chamber of Deputies proposes giving the new title, thus recognizing the importance of the municipality to the Brazilian economy.
Dolls lead production in Laranjal Paulista
If you’ve ever been shopping for toys in São Paulo and ended up deciding on a doll, chances are it was born in Laranjal Paulista. That’s because dolls lead local production, accounting for around 20 million of the 70 million units that leave the factories each year – in other words, almost 30%.
But there’s much more to the Toy Capital: the city also produces plastic cars, tricycles, balls, educational games and more. Many factories even sell directly to consumers, either in person or online. So if you’re thinking of giving your little ones a treat, there’s no better place to choose a gift!
