Brazil's footwear industry kicked off 2025 with strong export performance, according to data from the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados).
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In the first two months of the year, the sector exported 21 million pairs, generating US$174.23 million. This marks an increase of 14.7% in volume and 2.7% in revenue compared to the same period last year.
February alone saw 9.6 million pairs shipped abroad, yielding US$85.9 million, an 18.9% increase in volume and 8.9% rise in revenue over February 2024.
Abicalçados CEO Haroldo Ferreira, attributed the growth to favourable exchange rates: “The higher dollar has allowed exporters to secure better prices without losing profitability.” He noted that the average price of exported Brazilian footwear dropped by 10.5%, settling at US$8.26 per pair.
Traditionally the second-largest importer of Brazilian footwear, Argentina overtook the United States as the leading destination in February. Argentine buyers imported 1.24 million pairs worth US$22.2 million, an increase of 96.5% in volume and 62.2% in revenue compared to February 2024.
Over the two-month period, Argentina imported 1.87 million pairs, spending US$32.58 million, reflecting respective increases of 58% and 31.6%.
Despite Argentina’s strong February, the United States retained its position as the top destination for Brazilian footwear in the two-month period. Exports to the U.S. reached 1.93 million pairs, totalling US$ 37.17 million – a modest 0.6% increase in volume but a 4.5% drop in revenue compared to early 2024.
In February, however, exports to the U.S. dipped by 4% in volume but saw a 4.2% revenue increase, totalling 792.88 thousand pairs valued at US$18.16 million.
Spain ranked third among export destinations. In February, it imported 1.54 million pairs worth US$3.8 million – up 93.6% in volume and 41.2% in revenue year-on-year. Over the two months, Spain received 3.64 million pairs valued at US$8.64 million, marking a 24.1% increase in volume, though revenue dipped by 2.7%.
Rio Grande do Sul remained the leading exporting state, shipping 5.6 million pairs valued at US$82.15 million, though this marked slight declines of 1% in volume and 2.7% in revenue.
Ceará followed with 8 million pairs exported, generating US$42.57 million – up 20.3% in volume and 3.6% in revenue. São Paulo saw a notable rise, exporting 1 million pairs worth US$14.95 million, reflecting increases of 33.8% in volume and 17.6% in revenue.
Brazil’s footwear imports climbed in early 2025, with 7.9 million pairs entering the country for US$ 97.43 million – an increase of 14.1% in volume and 7.4% in revenue.
Asian countries continued to dominate as key suppliers. China led with 2.68 million pairs valued at US$9.25 million, though both volume and revenue fell slightly. Vietnam followed with 2.5 million pairs worth US$47.9 million, up 24.2% and 9.2%, respectively. Indonesia saw the highest growth, exporting 1.48 million pairs valued at US$ 23.5 million, surging 47.25% in volume and 37% in revenue.
Imports of footwear components (uppers, soles, heels etc.) also grew, totalling US$9.64 million, a 21.7% increase compared to early 2024. China, Paraguay and Vietnam were the main suppliers.
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