Brazil’s footwear exports took a hit in July 2025, with both volume and revenue showing declines compared to the same month last year.

Data from the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) shows that 7.18 million pairs were shipped in July, generating US$ 76.74 million. This represents drops of 7.3% in volume and 11.8% in revenue compared to July 2024.

For the first seven months of 2025, the overall numbers are still in positive territory but show signs of slowing down. From January to July, Brazil exported 59.88 million pairs worth US$ 574 million, up 6.6% in volume and 0.7% in revenue from the same period in 2024.

According to Haroldo Ferreira, Executive President, Abicalçados, the weaker performance is largely due to rising competition from Asian countries, particularly China.

“Chinese exporters are redirecting their shipments to avoid the surcharge applied in the United States. This has been impacting our performance in key markets in Europe and Latin America”

Haroldo Ferreira, Executive President, Abicalçados

The United States remained Brazil’s top export destination in the first seven months of the year, taking 6.9 million pairs valued at US$ 134.9 million.

This marks a 15.3% rise in volume and a 7% increase in revenue compared to last year. In July alone, the US imported 1 million pairs worth US$ 23.12 million, up 26.2% in volume and 6.4% in value from July 2024.

Argentina ranked second, importing 7.72 million pairs worth US$ 117.26 million between January and July.

This was a 32.3% increase in volume and a 4.6% rise in revenue year-on-year. However, in July, while volume was up 6.9%, revenue fell sharply by 32.8%.

Paraguay was the third-largest buyer, with 5 million pairs worth US$ 23.4 million in the first seven months, up 4.3% in volume but down 5.3% in revenue from the same period last year.

In July, the country imported 102,000 pairs worth US$ 2.2 million, both dropping by more than 23% compared to July 2024.

At the state level, all three of Brazil’s major footwear exporters saw declines in July. Rio Grande do Sul shipped 2.6 million pairs worth US$ 40.47 million, down in both volume and revenue compared to last year.

Ceará exported 2 million pairs valued at US$ 13.4 million, while São Paulo shipped 469,740 pairs worth US$ 6.83 million, with mixed results higher volume but lower revenue.

Despite the mid-year slowdown, Brazil’s footwear industry still shows growth over the first seven months of 2025. However, increased competition from Asian markets is expected to remain a challenge in the months ahead.

Source – Abicalçados