Trade

April dip in Brazilian footwear exports linked to sluggish US demand

May 21, 2025 Brazil

Following a strong start to the year, Brazilian footwear exports slowed in April, as US buyers reduced orders due to high inventory levels resulting from stockpiling in late 2024

According to the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), the country exported 39 million pairs of shoes worth 349 million US dollars in the first four months of the year. This reflects a 9.7% increase in volume and a 1.5% increase in value, on a comparable basis to the same period in 2024. However, Brazil shipped only 7.5 million pairs in April, worth 79.23 million US dollars – a decrease of 5.5% in volume and 12.4% in value, as compared to April 2024.

Abicalçados Executive President Haroldo Ferreira emphasises that the volatile international environment impacted the results, particularly exports to the United States. In April, the US imported 600 thousand pairs of shoes worth 12.64 million US dollars, representing a 26% decline in volume and a 27% decline in value as compared to the same month last year. The figures for the period between January and April were also subdued, with a year-on-year increase in volume of 1.7% (3.53 million pairs) and a decrease in value of 6.3% (67.36 million US dollars).

“The fall in exports to the United States in April can be explained by the surge in imports recorded since the end of last year, which has exceeded domestic consumption trends. Many importers brought forward their purchases and shipments to avoid the expected surcharges on Chinese footwear, which guaranteed lower costs but raised stock levels”, he explains. He adds that this effect should last for a cycle of reduced stocks and consequently reduced US imports.

According to Ferreira, April’s figures show that “the impact of uncertainty is, at least in the short term, more significant than the opportunities”.

Consequently, Argentina surpassed the US to become the leading destination for yellow and green footwear in 2025. In April alone, the neighbouring country imported 1 million pairs of shoes worth 16.94 million US dollars, a 4.4% increase in volume but an 18% decline in value year-on-year. However, over the first four months of 2025, exports to Argentina increased by 54.1% in volume (4.65 million pairs) and by 25.6% in value (77.82 US dollars).

Brazilian Footwear Industry

Brazil has one of the world’s largest footwear industries, with a substantial domestic market that is largely supplied by local production. According to the 2024 World Footwear Yearbook (more information HERE), the country’s footwear exports dropped significantly in 2023 from the record levels of the previous year, primarily due to a decline in US consumption.

Image Credits: Samuel Costa Melo on Unsplash

Brazil Exports Footwear International Trade Organisations