Data compiled by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) show that, between January and September, exports reached 76.7 million pairs and US$ 736.4 million, an increase of 7.1% in volume and stable revenue compared to the same period last year. In September alone, exports totaled 9.2 million pairs and US$ 85.3 million, up 18.4% and 4.8%, respectively, versus the same month in 2024.

The Executive President of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, explains that footwear exports for the month were supported by growth in shipments to Latin American destinations, especially in the synthetic-material footwear segment, which helped soften the impact of the decline in exports to the United States stemming from the additional tariff currently in effect. “We would be posting better results without the impacts of the contraction in the U.S. market. Leather footwear, produced to order and carrying the local customer’s brand, faces greater difficulty in finding alternative markets in the short term.”

In September, Argentina—despite a drop in its purchases of Brazilian footwear—surpassed the United States as the leading destination for the product abroad. In the ninth month, Argentine buyers imported 1.6 million pairs for US$ 19.27 million, declines in both volume (-25.9%) and revenue (-24.8%) versus the same month in 2024. Year-to-date, however, Argentina remains behind the United States, with 10.97 million pairs totaling US$ 154.96 million, up 22% in volume and 0.5% in revenue compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

The second destination in September was the United States. During the month, U.S. buyers imported 566.63 thousand pairs for US$ 15.56 million, declines in both volume (-23.5%) and revenue (-10.4%) versus September 2024. Year-to-date, the United States remains the leading destination for Brazilian footwear abroad, totaling 8.26 million pairs and US$ 171.87 million, up 7.4% and 4.1%, respectively, compared to the same interval last year.

In third place among international destinations for Brazilian footwear was Paraguay, which imported 1 million pairs for US$ 6 million in September—up 109% in volume and 49.4% in revenue compared to September 2024. From January to September, Brazilian exports to Paraguay totaled 7 million pairs and US$ 33.77 million, up 17.4% and 4.7%, respectively, versus the same period last year.

The leading exporting state in Brazil’s footwear sector, Rio Grande do Sul shipped 3.28 million pairs in September, totaling US$ 44.6 million—up 13% in volume and 5.1% in revenue compared to the same month in 2024. Year-to-date, factories in the state sent 24.75 million pairs abroad, generating US$ 359.7 million, a 2.5% increase in volume and a 2.9% decline in revenue versus the same interval last year.

Brazil’s second-largest footwear exporter remained Ceará, which shipped 2.87 million pairs in September for US$ 14.57 million—up 53% in volume and 33.8% in revenue versus the same month last year. Year-to-date, Ceará’s exports totaled 24.2 million pairs and US$ 142.3 million, a 12.3% increase in volume and a 2.1% decline in revenue compared to the same period in 2024.

Rounding out the ranking of Brazilian footwear exporters, São Paulo shipped 518,420 pairs in September for US$ 8.13 million, down 10.5% in volume and 7.9% in revenue versus the same month last year. Year-to-date, factories in the state exported 5.25 million pairs, generating US$ 76.33 million—up 21.6% and 15.1%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024.

Year-to-date, imports totaled 33.53 million pairs, for which US$ 437.77 million was paid—up 24.3% in volume and 24.3% in revenue versus the same period last year. The main origins were Vietnam (10.9 million pairs and US$ 212.8 million, +22.1% and +27.9%, respectively, vs. 2024), China (8.77 million pairs and US$ 34.22 million, +10.4% and +13.4%), and Indonesia (7 million pairs and US$ 108.1 million, +49.8% and +40.2%).

In September, imports totaled US$ 49.74 million and 3.4 million pairs, a 5.2% increase in volume compared to the same month in 2024. In this readout, China is a concern, once again showing nearly 70% growth in pairs exported to Brazil. “With the 30% tariff applied to Chinese products in the United States, local manufacturers have been intensifying their exports to other countries, including Brazil,” warns Ferreira.

In footwear parts—uppers, soles, heels, insoles, etc.—imports from January to September totaled US$ 34.6 million, 29.5% higher than in the same period last year. The main origins were China, Paraguay, and Vietnam.