Brazil Footwear Exports Rise Ahead of Trump Tariff Hike, Driven by U.S. and Argentina Demand

Data compiled by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) show that, in the first quarter, footwear exports totaled 31.55 million pairs and US$269.8 million, increases of 14.1% and 6.5%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024. In March alone, 10.5 million pairs were shipped abroad, generating US$95.66 million—an increase in both volume (+13.3 %) and revenue (+14.3 %) compared to the third month of last year.

Abicalçados’ CEO, Haroldo Ferreira, explains that despite the economic uncertainties caused by a generalized trade war initiated by Trump in the United States, footwear exports recovered in the first quarter of the year. According to him, the growth in footwear exports has been driven mainly by shipments to the United States and Argentina. On the other hand, in the coming months, the unstable scenario is expected to slow this growth pace due to declining footwear consumption in the U.S. and difficulties with international reserves in Argentina.

“The tariff surcharges on imports announced by President Trump are expected to have an inflationary impact in the U.S., consequently negatively affecting domestic consumption. Meanwhile, in Argentina, the level of international reserves—still around 60% below 2019 levels—could limit the country’s import growth,” the executive forecasts.

Destinations

Having surpassed the United States as the main destination for Brazilian footwear abroad, Argentina imported 1.7 million pairs of Brazilian shoes in March, for which it paid US$28.3 million—an increase in both volumes (+111%) and revenue (+71.1%) compared to March 2024. In the quarterly total, Argentinians imported 3.58 million pairs for US$60.88 million, up 79.5% and 47.4%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024.

The United States imported 1 million pairs of Brazilian footwear in March, paying US$17.54 million—up 34.8% in volume and 12% in revenue compared to last year. Over the three months, Americans imported 2.93 million pairs for US$54.7 million, increases of 10.2% and 0.3%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024.

France ranked third among Brazilian footwear export destinations in March, with 329,450 pairs shipped for US$3.45 million—up 120.9% in volume and 20.4% in revenue compared to March 2024. In the year-to-date total, the French imported 849,800 pairs for US$10 million, increases of 8.1% and 9.1%, respectively, compared to last year.

Rio Grande do Sul Leads Exporting States

The Rio Grande do Sul remains Brazil’s leading footwear-exporting state. In the first quarter, factories in the state shipped 8.58 million pairs abroad, generating US$125.9 million—an increase of 5.3% in volume and 2.7% in revenue compared to last year.

The second-largest source of Brazilian footwear exports in the quarter was Ceará, which exported 12.1 million pairs for US$62.72 million, an increase of 21.9% in volume and 2.9% in revenue compared to the same period in 2024.

Rounding out the ranking of footwear-exporting states was São Paulo. In the quarter, factories in São Paulo shipped 1.76 million pairs abroad, generating US$25.35 million—up 47% in volume and 28.6% in revenue compared to last year.

Source: Comex do Brasil

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