In 2016, Portugal has exported more than 81.6 million pairs of shoes with a total value of more than 1.9 million euros. This performance represents a growth rate of 3.2% over 2015. A particularly positive performance considering the instability felt in foreign markets last year and the uncertainty impacting important footwear consumer markets.

Crossing the 1.9 million euros revenue threshold also represented the seventh consecutive year of growth in sales to foreign markets. In this shorth period of time, the Portuguese footwear industry has presented an outstanding growth dynamic increasing its exports revenue in roughly 50%.

Although European countries continue to be the main destination for Portuguese exports, growth of foreign sales has taken place across most markets. In 2016, the main destinations for Portuguese footwear continued to be France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. However, the dynamics of growth for this industry is particularly noticeable in less traditional markets, such as China (+9.7%), New Zealand (12.8%) and the United States (+13.6%).

The Portuguese footwear industry, recognized worldwide by its high-quality products, incorporating the latest trends and with a special focus on design and innovation, now exports more than 95% of its production.