The 105th edition of Expo Riva Schuh, a footwear trade show held in Riva del Garda, Italy, from June 13 to 16, is expected to generate US$30.18 million in export business for the 29 participating Brazilian brands. The companies took part in the event with support from Brazilian Footwear, the footwear export promotion program maintained by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). According to Carla Giordani, from Abicalçados’ Business Department, 376,900 pairs of Brazilian footwear were sold on-site during the event, generating US$5.34 million in business. Including deals initiated during the trade show and expected to be concluded in the coming months, the total is projected to surpass 2 million pairs sold and US$30.18 million in business, representing a 38% increase compared to the same edition last year. “Despite the challenging conditions in the international market, the results were positive and point to an improving business environment, particularly for exports to Europe,” says Carla. She also highlights the importance of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union in boosting Brazilian footwear exports to the European market.

Exhibitors
One of the brands exhibiting at Expo Riva Schuh was Awana. “This is the most important international trade show for our company, especially for launching our summer collections, a category in which Brazilian footwear is particularly competitive,” says Milton Moller, from the company’s Product Development team. According to him, buyers from the United Kingdom, Poland, Russia, Italy, Spain, and France visited Awana’s booth during the event.  “We have the ability to accommodate smaller orders, which is extremely important for European customers,” he notes, adding that the trade show delivered excellent results in terms of new client prospecting.”  

The same sentiment was echoed by Paulina Klein, Export Manager at Madeira Brasil. According to her, the event resulted in new business opportunities in the Czech Republic, a market where the brand had previously operated through a distributor before the pandemic. “We are reconnecting with a very important market,” she says.

In addition to this new customer, Paulina reports that Madeira Brasil welcomed buyers from the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Poland, the United States, and several Latin American countries. “The trade show was extremely important for establishing new contacts. Now, our focus is on turning those opportunities into business,” she concludes.

Back at the Italian trade show, Dijean was also pleased with the business secured during the event and the deals expected to materialize in the coming months. According to the brand’s Sales Manager, Silton Freire, the trade show played an important role in repositioning Dijean in the international market. “Many long-standing customers visited us and were happy to see our return to the event,” he says. During the three-day trade show, Freire reports that the brand welcomed—and secured orders from—buyers from the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Singapore, and Greece. “We’re back on the right foot,” he celebrates.

Latin America
On the opening day of the trade show, June 13, the Latam Footwear Leaders Summit 2026 brought together leaders from the footwear industries of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Held by the Latin American Footwear Chambers Association (ACCAL), the event focused on discussions surrounding the competitiveness of the footwear industry across the region.

Participating in Expo Riva Schuh with support from Brazilian Footwear were Actvitta, Ala, Andacco, Awana Group, Bebecê, Beira Rio, Boaonda, Bonton Leather Care, BR Sport, Capelli Rossi, Democrata, Dijean, Globo, GVD International, Jorge Bischoff, K360, Kidy, Klin, LightGel, Loucos & Santos, Madeira Brasil, Modare Ultraconforto, Moleca, Molekinha, Molekinho, Piccadilly, Vizzano, Werner and Zatz.

About Brazilian Footwear
Brazilian Footwear is an export promotion program maintained by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). Its mission is to strengthen the international presence of Brazil’s footwear industry and its brands through market development, trade promotion, and branding initiatives. Currently, the program supports approximately 300 companies. Over the past year alone, Brazilian Footwear generated US$128.3 million in business for participating Brazilian companies. Participation in the program is free of charge. Companies interested in joining can contact Abicalçados for more information. Learn more at: brazilianfootwear.com.br | abicalcados.com.br/brazilian-footwear.

About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve these goals, ApexBrasil carries out a wide range of trade promotion initiatives aimed at expanding Brazilian exports and enhancing the visibility of Brazilian products and services in international markets. These initiatives include trade and market development missions, business matchmaking events, support for Brazilian companies participating in major international trade shows, and visits by foreign buyers and opinion leaders to learn more about Brazil’s production capabilities, among other business platforms designed to strengthen the Brazil brand worldwide. ApexBrasil also works in coordination with public and private sector stakeholders to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors that enhance the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and contribute to the country’s economic development. Learn more at: apexbrasil.com.br