Data compiled by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), based on figures from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex), show that in July, the sector’s exports totaled 7.18 million pairs and US$ 76.74 million, declines of 7.3% and 11.8%, respectively, compared to the same month in 2024. In the first seven months of 2025, exports remain positive but on a downward trend. During the period, 59.88 million pairs were shipped abroad, generating US$ 574 million—growth of 6.6% and 0.7%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Abicalçados’ Executive President, Haroldo Ferreira, emphasizes that the slowdown in exports is mainly due to heightened international competition, with a greater influx of Asian products—especially from China—being redirected from the United States to other markets, many of which are traditionally served by the Brazilian industry. “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,” the executive emphasizes.

In the first seven months of the year, the main destination for Brazilian footwear abroad was the United States, which received 6.9 million pairs worth US$ 134.9 million—growth of 15.3% in volume and 7% in revenue compared to the same period last year. In July alone, the United States imported 1 million pairs worth US$ 23.12 million, increases in both volume (+26.2%) and revenue (+6.4%) over July 2024.

Between January and July, Argentina was the second-largest international destination for Brazilian footwear. During the period, the neighboring country imported 7.72 million pairs worth US$ 117.26 million—growth of 32.3% in volume and 4.6% in revenue relative to the same period last year. In July alone, Argentina imported 1.3 million pairs worth US$ 13.34 million, a 6.9% increase in volume but a 32.8% drop in revenue compared to July 2024.

The third-largest destination for Brazilian footwear abroad in the first seven months of 2025 was Paraguay, which imported 5 million pairs worth US$ 23.4 million—an increase of 4.3% in volume and a 5.3% drop in revenue over the same period in 2024. In July, Paraguay purchased 102,000 Brazilian pairs worth US$ 2.2 million, declines of 23.2% and 23%, respectively, versus July 2024.

States
In July, all three of Brazil’s main footwear-exporting states recorded negative results. Last month, factories in Rio Grande do Sul shipped 2.6 million pairs worth US$ 40.47 million, declines in both volume (-1.4%) and revenue (-7.5%) compared to July 2024. Year to date, Rio Grande do Sul has exported 18.57 million pairs worth US$ 273.2 million—an increase of 3.6% in volume but a 2% drop in revenue compared to the same period last year.

Ceará, Brazil’s second-largest footwear exporter, shipped 2 million pairs worth US$ 13.4 million in July—declines in both volume (-9.4%) and revenue (-14.2%) compared to the same month last year. Year to date, the northeastern state has exported 19.5 million pairs worth US$ 117.68 million, an increase of 11.2% in volume but a 1.1% drop in revenue over the same period in 2024.

The third-largest footwear exporter in Brazil was São Paulo, which shipped 469,740 pairs worth US$ 6.83 million in July—an increase of 17.7% in volume but an 8.8% drop in revenue compared to the same month last year. Year to date, factories in São Paulo have exported 4.12 million pairs worth US$ 59.8 million, with increases of 23.5% in volume and 16.2% in revenue relative to the same period in 2024.