Brazil’s footwear industry saw a strong increase in export volume in January 2025, but revenue dipped compared to last year. According to data from the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), 11.46 million pairs of shoes were shipped abroad, generating USD 88.3 million in revenue. While export volume rose by 11.4%, revenue declined by 2.7% compared to January 2024.
The decline in revenue, despite the higher number of exported pairs, can be attributed to a drop in the average price per pair. The average export price fell by 12.6%, from USD 8.82 to USD 7.71.
This is largely due to an increased share of flip-flops in Brazil’s export mix and the depreciation of the Brazilian real against the US dollar, making Brazilian products more competitive internationally.
Abicalçados’ Executive President Haroldo Ferreira pointed out that global market conditions remain uncertain.
Economic instability, combined with the possibility of a trade war between the United States and China, is making it difficult to predict the market’s trajectory.
“The outlook for 2025 is uncertain. While the tariff imposed by Trump on Chinese footwear could benefit Brazil in the U.S. market, these Chinese-made shoes are likely to flood key markets for our products abroad, particularly in Latin America,” said Ferreira.
Despite the increased export volume, January’s numbers remained below the five-year average of 12.23 million pairs, indicating that global demand for Brazilian footwear is still weak.
The United States remained Brazil’s largest export market in January, importing 1.13 million pairs valued at USD 19 million. While volume increased by 4.2%, revenue fell by 11.5%, reflecting lower selling prices.
Other major destinations included:
- Argentina: Imported 635,600 pairs worth USD 10.36 million (Volume: +14.2%, Revenue: -6.3%)
- France: Imported 380,600 pairs worth USD 4.9 million (Volume: +14.7%, Revenue: +54.3%)
Among Brazil’s states, Rio Grande do Sul led footwear exports in January, but shipments declined by 12.1% in volume and 17.5% in revenue compared to 2024.
Here’s how Brazil’s key footwear-exporting states performed:
- Rio Grande do Sul: 2.62 million pairs (USD 37.6 million) ↓
- Ceará: 5 million pairs (USD 27.42 million) ↑ 34.8% (volume), ↑ 30.3% (revenue)
- São Paulo: 514,100 pairs (USD 7.2 million) ↑ 23.5% (volume), ↓ 2.7% (revenue)
While exports showed mixed results, footwear imports into Brazil continued to grow. In January, 3.32 million pairs of foreign-made shoes entered the country, valued at USD 47.96 million an increase of 18.1% in volume and 29% in revenue compared to January 2024.
Asian countries dominated footwear imports, supplying 90% of all foreign shoes entering Brazil:
- Vietnam: 1.24 million pairs (USD 22.47 million) ↑ 55% (volume), ↑ 31% (revenue)
- Indonesia: 742,500 pairs (USD 12 million) ↑ 113.5% (volume), ↑ 111.6% (revenue)
- China: 719,800 pairs (USD 5 million) ↓ 34.7% (volume), ↑ 16.6% (revenue)
Additionally, imports of footwear components (such as insoles, soles, and heels) increased by 47%, reaching USD 5.53 million. The primary suppliers were China, Paraguay, and Vietnam.
