Asia produces 88% of footwear as global production grows 6.9% in 2024

World footwear production increased 6.9% in 2024, reaching 23.9 billion pairs, according to the world footwear yearbook. Asia continued to dominate, producing almost nine out of ten pairs worldwide, representing 88% of total production.

The report, published by the Portuguese Association of Footwear, Components, Leather Articles and its Substitute (ApicCaps), confirms China's position as the largest producer in the world, manufacturing 13 billion pairs in 2024 for a global participation of 54%. India rose to second place with 12.5%, followed by Vietnam with 6.5%.

The president of Apiccaps, Luís, warned that the figures raise concerns. “It is not reasonable that almost 90% of global production comes from Asia when we should defend free, fair and balanced commercial practices,” he said. Even so, he stressed that the 2025 edition of the World Footwear Yearbook “confirms Portugal as one of the main actors in the sector, especially in leather footwear.” He added: “We are doing our way.”

Global Export Signal Recovery

Global footwear exports also increased by 2024, increasing 4.6% in volume compared to 2023, indicating a gradual recovery in international trade. Asia consolidated its leadership as the main exporter, representing 85.1% of total exports, slightly above its 84.5% participation a decade earlier.

Between 2015 and 2024, exports of footwear grew modestly in volume (+1.2%) but increased abruptly in value, rising 31.4% of $ 129.2 billion to almost $ 170 billion. Apiccaps said: “Asian countries strengthened their dominant position in the global footwear trade, with their combined participation from 84.6% in 2023 to 85.1% in 2024. Europe's participation decreased slightly to 12.6%.”

China remained the main exporter, representing 62.2% of global exports, below 63.8% in 2023. Vietnam took second place with 10.7%, followed by Indonesia in 4.1%. Together, the three countries represented more than three quarters of the world's exports.

Prices show the first fall in a decade

The Yearbook emphasizes that the average export price of footwear increased significantly in the last decade, from $ 8.83 by torque in 2015 to a peak of $ 11.98 in 2023, an increase of 36%. Apiccaps explained this trend as “the result of higher production costs, a stronger approach in higher added value products and inflationary pressures in supply chains.”

However, 2024 marked the first important decrease, with the average price falling to $ 11.47 per torque. Apiccaps suggested that this “could indicate a change in the mixture of products or price strategy after two years of strong value growth.”

Asia drives consumption, but regional gaps remain

In 2024, Asia represented more than half of the global footwear consumption (55.5%), an increase compared to the previous year. North America continued with 13.6% and Europe with 13.5%.

Per capita consumption varied abruptly by region, of only 1.4 pairs per person in Africa to 4.8 pairs in North America. China retained its position as the largest consumer market, expanding its participation to 18.6% of the global total. India arrived in second place with 13.3%, while the United States remained stable in third place in 9.8%. The European Union took fourth place, consuming 2,069 million pairs in 2024.