FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING REMAINS HEAVILY CONCENTRATED IN ASIA

The industry continues to be centred in Asia, which accounts for 88.7% of global production. China maintains its absolute leadership, manufacturing 13.7 billion pairs (55.6% global share). India solidified its second-place position with 3 billion pairs (12.2%), while Vietnam increased its output to 1.7 billion pairs, representing 6.7% of the global total. Outside Asia, Brazil (3.4%) and Mexico (0.9%) are the only countries featured in the world’s top 10 producers.

ASIA REINFORCES ITS ROLE AS THE GLOBAL CONSUMPTION CENTER

Asia now accounts for 56.0% of all footwear consumed worldwide, confirming that the industry’s centre of gravity is increasingly shaped by Asian consumers. However, per capita consumption reveals deep regional disparities: while North America leads with 4.6 pairs per person and Europe follows with 4.1, Africa averages only 1.6 pairs. China remains the top national market with 4.8 billion pairs, followed by India (2.8 billion) and the United States (1.95 billion).

CHINA’S EXPORT SHARE CONTINUES TO NARROW. VIETNAM AS THE MAIN BENEFICIARY

China remains the dominant exporter, shipping 9 billion pairs, but its global market share narrowed to 61.2% in 2025, down from 69.1% ten years ago.

Vietnam was a primary beneficiary of this shift, rising to an 11.2% share. In Europe, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands stand out as vital logistics and re-export platforms, with Germany holding the 4th position in the world ranking of exporters by volume.

AVERAGE EXPORT PRICE RECOVERS TO $11.65 

The World Average Export Price rose from $8.87 per pair in 2016 to a record $11.96 in 2023, before declining in 2024 and recovering to $11.65 in 2025. Despite this rebound, the average export price remained below the peak level reached in 2023. The average footwear export price in 2025 ranged from $34.76 in Europe to $8.02 in Asia, highlighting significant differences in market structure, production profiles, and value positioning across the world's footwear markets.

WORLD FOOTWEAR YEARBOOK 2026

APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear Association, has now published the 16^th edition of its World Footwear Yearbook, launched in 2011. The Yearbook analyses the most important trends within the worldwide footwear industry. The availability of data for 2025, both in quantity and value, makes it possible to position the main players with regard to production, consumption, exports, and imports. This publication also includes a specific analysis of 84 different markets, as well as addressing the evolution of the sector’s leading global players.

The World Footwear Yearbook 2026 is now on sale from our store.