We have looked back at the data available so far on the performance of some of the world’s top footwear exporters in 2024. Unsurprisingly, Asian countries continue to dominate, but China has slowed. In Europe, we highlight the performance of Spain with consistent growth in value and volume of exports
German footwear imports dropped, with Vietnam overtaking China as the leading supplier. Higher wages, inflation and political uncertainty add to the challenges shaping the industry’s outlook for 2025
Between July and December 2024, Bangladeshi leather footwear exports were up by 30% year-on-year, countering the negative performance of leather goods and finished leather exports
Brazil’s leather exports increased by 12.5% year-on-year to 1.26 billion USD in 2024, according to the CICB, which also highlighted advances in compliance, traceability and customs barriers
According to Lefaso, the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association, the country's footwear and leather exports reached 27.04 billion US dollars in 2024, an increase of 11.45% year-over-year. Export growth is estimated at 10% for 2025
The third quarter of the year did not bring a turnaround in the sector’s difficult situation, resulting in a cumulative decline of 9.2% in the value of footwear exports between January and September
The Indian footwear industry is targeting a market size of 26 billion USD by 2030, including 8 billion USD in export revenues. The footwear components segment is expected to be key in achieving this goal
Data from Assomac highlighted the economic challenges of Italy's leather sector in 2024, with declined exports and 78% of companies reporting reduced demand across domestic and international markets
French leather footwear exports fell by 3% year-on-year between January and August, but according to Alliance France Cuir, there’s still room for luxury footwear to grow in China
Italy's tanning industry currently struggles with declining demand, rising economic pressures and labour challenges, while hopes for recovery hinge on global economic, political and trade stability
With tax reform and trade protection as priorities, Brazil's footwear industry expects pressing challenges in 2025, including payroll tax changes, high interest rates and import competition
South Africa's footwear imports surged by nearly 35% this year, while local production fell by 15%, prompting SAFLIA and unions to seek solutions to the challenges faced by local manufacturers
Mauro Bergozza, CEO of Bergi, has been chosen to succeed Maria Vitoria Brustia at the helm of Assomac at a time when exports of footwear and leather machinery are in decline
The Brazilian footwear industry is expected to surpass pre-pandemic production levels in 2025. However, rising low-cost competition from imports poses challenges to local manufacturers