Global footwear production remained virtually unchanged in 2025, increasing by just 0.1% to 24.6 billion pairs, according to the World Footwear Yearbook 2026, published by APICCAPS.
The figures confirm Asia’s dominance, with the region accounting for 88.7% of all footwear produced worldwide. China remained the leading producer, with 13.7 billion pairs and a 55.6% share, followed by India with three billion and Vietnam with 1.7 billion.
Europe is playing an increasingly secondary role in global production, representing just 2.1% of the total, behind South America at 4.5% and Africa at 3.3%. The European continent nevertheless retains relevance in higher value-added segments and international distribution networks.
Global exports fell by 0.1% in volume but increased by 1.6% in value, reaching USD 172 billion (around EUR 147 billion). The average export price recovered to USD 11.65 per pair, still below the record of USD 11.96 reached in 2023.
Luís Onofre, President of APICCAPS, stresses that the World Footwear Yearbook 2026 figures confirm a reality that demands a firm response from Europe: global footwear production is increasingly concentrated in Asia, but this cannot mean that opportunities and the rules of international trade become concentrated there as well.
"We cannot accept that the concentration of production in Asia translates into a concentration of world trade and a loss of European industrial capacity. Europe must defend its interests and ensure that free trade is also balanced trade, based on fair and reciprocal conditions of competition. We cannot continue to open our market without requiring the same level of openness and respect for the rules from our partners.”
China loses ground
in exports
Asia also maintains a dominant position in international trade, accounting for 84.3% of all pairs exported. China exported around nine billion pairs, equivalent to 61.2% of the global total, although its share has fallen from 69.1% a decade ago, mainly in favour of Vietnam.
Europe accounted for 13.1% of global exports by volume but recorded the highest average price, at USD 34.76 per pair, compared with USD 8.02 in Asia. Countries such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands stand out primarily as logistics and re-export hubs.
In imports, Europe remained the world’s leading destination, accounting for 35.3% of pairs traded, followed by Asia with 25.5% and North America with 20.3%. North America’s share fell from 23.3% in 2016, while Africa and South America increased their participation.
Asia dominates consumption
Global consumption is also shifting towards Asia, which accounted for 56% of all pairs consumed in 2025. China was the largest market, with 4.8 billion pairs, followed by India with 2.8 billion and the United States with 1.95 billion.
Despite the size of the Asian market, North America maintained the highest per capita consumption, at 4.6 pairs per person, followed by Europe at 4.1 pairs. By contrast, average consumption in Africa did not exceed 1.6 pairs per person.
Portugal holds firm
Against a backdrop of highly concentrated production in Asia, Portugal maintained a relevant industrial position, producing 74 million pairs in 2025 and ranking 18th worldwide. The country exported 69 million pairs worth USD 1.949 billion and imported 68 million pairs worth USD 981 million.
Portugal therefore recorded a trade surplus of close to USD 968 million. More than half of Portuguese exports by volume, 58%, consisted of leather footwear, confirming the country’s positioning in higher value-added segments.
The Portuguese industry pulled ahead of Spain in production by manufacturing 14 million more pairs. Spain produced 60 million pairs, exported 164 million and imported 365 million, posting a trade deficit of more than USD 2 billion. These figures highlight the growing weight of Spanish imports and re-exports, while Portugal preserves a stronger industrial base and a positive trade balance.
The President of APICCAPS also highlights that Portugal demonstrates that it is possible to maintain a competitive industry in Europe, even in the face of very strong global competition.
"Portugal continues to invest consistently in industry, innovation, technology, skills and production capacity. The 74 million pairs produced in 2025 and a trade surplus of close to USD 1 billion demonstrate that there is a solid and competitive industrial base. This capacity did not emerge by chance: it is the result of decades of investment and an ongoing commitment to modernisation.”
For Luís Onofre, Portugal’s figures should be seen as an argument for a more ambitious European industrial policy.
"Europe cannot give up its industry or accept that its production is progressively replaced by imports. We need a European strategy that combines openness to trade with reciprocity, balanced competitive conditions and the defence of production capacity. The future of European industry also depends on Europe’s ability to defend its rights in international trade.”
The APICCAPS President also considers that Portugal’s position demonstrates the importance of preserving an industry focused on higher value-added segments. "Our industry has shown that it can compete on quality, design, innovation and sustainability. This is precisely the capacity we must continue to strengthen, while expecting Europe to pursue a trade policy that does not place European companies at a disadvantage.”