Brazil’s Footwear Trade Balance Plunges 56% as Imports Rise

Brazilian footwear exports continued to decline in September, according to data compiled by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) based on records from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex). Brazil shipped 9.15 million pairs during the month, generating $79.7 million, down both in volume (-0.5%) and value (-6.6%) from the same month last year. From January through September, exports totaled 71.6 million pairs and $621.14 million, declines of 6.7% in volume and 15.6% in revenue compared with the same period of 2025.

The table below compares Brazil’s import volumes of apparel and footwear, measured in TEUs, during the January-August period in recent years:

Source: DataLiner – explore our trade data

While exports lost ground, footwear imports continued to rise. In September, 3.57 million pairs entered Brazil, valued at $61.55 million, increases of 5.2% in volume and 23.7% in value from the same month last year. From January through September, imports totaled 36.6 million pairs and $491.25 million, up 9.1% and 12.5%, respectively, from the same period of 2025. “In addition to the increase in conventional imports, we are seeing more footwear enter the country through small parcels from international platforms, which are exempt from import duties for goods worth up to $50,” the association warned.

With exports falling and imports rising, the footwear industry’s trade balance fell by more than 56% in dollar terms between January and September. “We are facing an unstable international environment, aggravated by trade barriers and the resulting decline in exports to strategic markets such as the United States. At the same time, these restrictions have led to a reorganization of global trade flows, with products being redirected to Brazil, increasing import pressure on domestic industry,” said Abicalçados Executive President Haroldo Ferreira.

Diversification Fails to Offset Decline in Brazilian Footwear Exports

Ferreira also noted that increased shipments to other markets, particularly in Latin America, have not been enough to offset the overall losses. From January through September, shipments to countries in the region, excluding Argentina, rose 11.2% in dollar terms and 10.4% in pairs compared with the same period a year earlier.

“There is an effort to diversify markets. Today, our footwear is present in more than 160 countries, but that has not been enough to reverse the negative export figures,” he added.

Domestic Pressure

With difficulties in international markets, Brazil’s footwear industry is also feeling the pressure of imports at home. Ferreira described the situation as “particularly concerning” given the importance of domestic consumption in sustaining industrial activity, as imports are rising precisely as domestic demand weakens.

Main Export Destinations

Despite the decline, the United States remains the leading destination for Brazilian footwear. From January through September, Brazil shipped 7.9 million pairs to the U.S. market for $130.84 million, down 4.3% in volume and 23.8% in revenue from the same period last year.

Argentina ranked second. During the first nine months of 2026, exports to the neighboring country totaled 6.17 million pairs and generated $74.33 million, declines of 43.7% and 52%, respectively, from the same period last year.

Paraguay ranked third among destinations for Brazil’s footwear industry. Between January and September, Brazil shipped 6 million pairs to the country for $35.9 million, representing a 14.7% decline in volume but a 6.4% increase in revenue compared with the same period last year.

Exporting States

Rio Grande do Sul remains Brazil’s leading footwear-exporting state. From January through September, factories in the state shipped 25.26 million pairs, generating $309.2 million, an increase of 2.1% in volume but a 14% decline in revenue compared with the same period last year.

It was followed by Ceará, with 19.6 million pairs and $108.43 million, down 19% and 23.8%, respectively, from the same period of 2025; and São Paulo, with 4.43 million pairs and $62.84 million, declines of 15.5% and 17.7%, respectively, from the corresponding period last year.

Main Sources of Footwear Imports

Brazil’s footwear imports continue to come primarily from three Asian countries: Vietnam, Indonesia and China.

In September, Brazil imported 1.6 million pairs from Vietnam for $36.28 million, increases of 19.5% in volume and 39.4% in value from the same month last year. From January through September, imports from Vietnam totaled 11 million pairs and $250.66 million, up 17.8% and 31.1%, respectively, from the same period of 2025.

Indonesia ranked second among the main sources of footwear imports. In September, Brazil imported 649,500 pairs from the country for $12.53 million, representing an 18% decline in volume but a 2% increase in value from the same period last year. Year to date, Indonesian imports totaled 6 million pairs and $109.65 million, down 14% in volume but up 1.4% in value from the corresponding period of 2025.

China completed the group of the three largest footwear suppliers to the Brazilian market. In September, 462,000 pairs of Chinese footwear entered Brazil for $3.78 million, increases of 45% in volume and 24.4% in value from the same month last year. From January through September, imports from China totaled 10.74 million pairs and $37.5 million, up 22.5% and 9.5%, respectively, from the same period of 2025.

Imports of footwear parts — including uppers, soles, heels and insoles — totaled $39.6 million from January through September, 14.4% more than in the same period last year. The main suppliers were China, Paraguay and Vietnam.

Source: Abicalçados

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