In 2025, Portugal consolidated its lead over Spain in footwear production and maintained its position as Europe's second-largest footwear producer.
According to data from the World Footwear Yearbook 2026, Portugal rose to 18th place among the world's largest footwear producers in 2025, in a ranking led by China, which accounts for 55% of global production. The study, published annually by APICCAPS, shows that the Portuguese industry continues to strengthen its international position, despite operating in a particularly demanding market.
In 2025, Portugal accounted for 0.3% of world production by volume and 0.5% by value. Around 93% of the footwear produced in the country was sold abroad, reaching 174 markets across five continents.
Portugal ranked 13th among the world's largest footwear exporters by value, with sales of USD 1.949 billion, equivalent to approximately EUR 1.718 billion, and 17th by volume, with 69 million pairs exported.
The average export price increased by 2.5% to USD 28.25 per pair, keeping Portugal in second place worldwide, behind Italy. This indicator reflects the specialisation of Portuguese companies in higher value-added segments, although it is also influenced by production costs, the product mix of exports, destination markets and exchange-rate fluctuations.
"The Portuguese industry is going through a very difficult period, as are most of the world’s leading producers. Even so, Portugal has managed to withstand the pressure better than many of its competitors and preserve an international position built on value, quality and companies’ ability to respond,” says Paulo Gonçalves, Executive Director of APICCAPS.
After two years of declining foreign sales, Portuguese footwear exports grew by 0.8% in 2025, bucking the negative trend recorded by the Italian and Spanish industries.
Know more here.
According to data from the World Footwear Yearbook 2026, Portugal rose to 18th place among the world's largest footwear producers in 2025, in a ranking led by China, which accounts for 55% of global production. The study, published annually by APICCAPS, shows that the Portuguese industry continues to strengthen its international position, despite operating in a particularly demanding market.
In 2025, Portugal accounted for 0.3% of world production by volume and 0.5% by value. Around 93% of the footwear produced in the country was sold abroad, reaching 174 markets across five continents.
Portugal ranked 13th among the world's largest footwear exporters by value, with sales of USD 1.949 billion, equivalent to approximately EUR 1.718 billion, and 17th by volume, with 69 million pairs exported.
The average export price increased by 2.5% to USD 28.25 per pair, keeping Portugal in second place worldwide, behind Italy. This indicator reflects the specialisation of Portuguese companies in higher value-added segments, although it is also influenced by production costs, the product mix of exports, destination markets and exchange-rate fluctuations.
"The Portuguese industry is going through a very difficult period, as are most of the world’s leading producers. Even so, Portugal has managed to withstand the pressure better than many of its competitors and preserve an international position built on value, quality and companies’ ability to respond,” says Paulo Gonçalves, Executive Director of APICCAPS.
After two years of declining foreign sales, Portuguese footwear exports grew by 0.8% in 2025, bucking the negative trend recorded by the Italian and Spanish industries.
Know more here.
