RIAA Announces Mid-Year Latin Music Numbers

LOS ANGELES (RIAA) - The Latin music marketplace continued its impressive growth in the first half of 2005, with unit shipments of various formats growing 27.7 percent, according to new data announced by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Similarly, the retail value of all product shipped to outlets grew by 31.2 percent. Excluding other formats, CDs shipped to retail climbed 26.6 percent year-over-year on a unit basis - 26.9 million units in the first six months of 2005 compared to 21.2 million in the first six months of 2004. That translates into a 29.6 percent increase in dollar value in shipments of Latin CDs.

RIAA Latin music executives attribute the continuing popularity of the genre to an array of exciting new albums this past year, the emergence and popularity of the Latin hip hop subgenre, Reggaeton, and a continuing focus on stronger anti-piracy programs. Latin music is especially hard hit by physical goods or "street" piracy - the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit and pirate CDs. During the first part of 2005, nearly 40 percent of all pirate product seized was the Latin genre.

"Latin music is booming and that's great news for fans, artists and record labels," said Rafael Fernandez, V.P. of Latin for the RIAA. "While new formats have won over new fans and there are multiple positive signs in the marketplace, the pirating of Latin music remains a serious problem. Working collaboratively with law enforcement officials, we continue to develop new strategies and devote additional resources to address Latin music piracy. Our efforts are paying dividends, and we will continue to make this a priority."