Portuguese footwear industry's exports continued its dynamic performance in 2014 totaling 1 869.8 million euros and going up from 1 735.8 million euros registered in 2013.

A good performance in the European Union markets, to where exports grew roughly 7%, is complemented by excellent growth of 12% in markets outside the Union, with a global increase of footwear exports of over 8%. The European Union economies bought 1 622.7 million euros worth of Portuguese footwear in 2014, while other markets purchased Portuguese footwear valued at 1 869.8 million euros.

The main destination markets for Portuguese footwear continue to be France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom, all with positive growth rates.

Two digits’ expansion across several markets was registered during the period, with countries such as Colombia (+234%), United States (+69%), Hong Kong (+42%), Australia (+35%) and China (+15%) registering an impressive growth dynamic.

A particular note to underline the performance of the Portuguese footwear exports to the American markets, growing as a whole by 51% in the period.

According to the Portuguese association: “Since 2009 Portuguese footwear exports increased roughly 54%”. APICCAPS continues to work with its members on a strategy to diversify away the destination markets, as one of the goals of the Portuguese footwear industry is to deepen the presence in new markets, so that extra EU exports represent 20% of the total sales abroad by 2020.