Exports in the Portuguese footwear industry increased by 5.4% in quantity and 3.7% in value during the first half of the year, as compared to the same period last year, totaling 36 million pairs and 843 million euros, announced the sector’s association.
The president of the Portuguese Association of Footwear, Components, Leather Goods, and Substitutes Manufacturers (APICCAPS) stated in a release that 2025 “is proving to be a very demanding year for the footwear industry at an international level” but highlighted the Portuguese industry’s continued gains over major international players.
“Exporting more than 90% of our production to 170 countries allows the Portuguese industry to demonstrate an overall positive performance,” said Luís Onofre.
However, he warned that the sector remains “heavily dependent on the progress of major economies to maintain this momentum in the second half of the year and solidify 2025 as a year of affirmation for Portuguese footwear in foreign markets.”
After starting the year with uncertainty and declines in double-digit figures, APICCAPS noted that Portuguese footwear exports to the USA “began a recovery trajectory,” reaching 40 million euros by the end of the first semester, although this was a year-on-year decline of 6.4%.
Reaffirming that the U.S. market “is a priority for Portuguese footwear,” the APICCAPS president pointed out that, within a “more favorable tariff framework – where countries like Brazil face 50% penalties, China 30%, India 50%, and Mexico 25% – this could be the opportunity” for the Portuguese footwear sector to strengthen its presence in the USA “where there is growing demand for premium, sustainable products with history.”
“Considering ongoing investments – over 100 million euros under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) in the fields of automation, robotics, and sustainability – Portugal can establish itself as a robust alternative to mass-produced and environmentally unsustainable production,” stressed Luís Onofre.
According to APICCAPS data, in the first half of the year, China – responsible for about 55% of global footwear production – saw its exports decline by 12.5%.
Mexico and Turkey, identified as “two reference producers,” recorded drops of 19.3% and 15.3%, respectively, in international trade.
In Europe, Italy and Spain, two major competitors of Portugal, experienced downturns of 2.6% and 2% in exports.
Between January and June, Germany strengthened its position as the main destination for Portuguese footwear, growing by 13.1% to 217 million euros.
France also showed positive growth, increasing by 1.4% to 167 million euros.
Conversely, the sector views performance in the Netherlands with “concern,” as sales fell 5.3% to 94 million euros.
