The biggest footwear trade show in Latin America, BFSHOW brings together all of Brazil’s footwear hubs and serves every product segment. For its 4th edition, the event—hosted by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil—is expected to feature more than 350 Brazilian brands across an area of over 30,000 square meters. The trade show will take place from May 19 to 21 at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo- Brazil, and registration is now open for visitors from both the domestic and international markets at www.bfshow.com.br.
The industry’s projected growth in production for 2025 sets an optimistic tone for BFSHOW, which will showcase Spring/Summer collections—typically the most profitable season for Brazil’s footwear sector—during its May edition. “BFSHOW will serve as a barometer likely to confirm our forecast of around 2% growth in footwear production throughout 2025,” says Haroldo Ferreira, Executive President of Abicalçados. According to him, while the global outlook remains uncertain—particularly due to the ongoing trade war—there is strong domestic demand and rising interest from international buyers, especially from the United States. “Since the U.S. announced a 145% tariff on Chinese footwear, we’ve seen growing interest from American buyers looking for alternatives to Chinese suppliers,” he explains. BFSHOW is expected to receive over 10,000 visits, including approximately 1,200 international buyers from every continent.
According to João Paulo Picolo, CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, BFSHOW has already established itself as the key meeting point between Brazil’s footwear industry and the global market. “In May, the leading footwear producer in the Western world—offering product diversity, quality, sustainability, and competitive pricing—will be at the trade show. BFSHOW is emerging as the main international sourcing platform for both domestic and international buyers in Latin America. All production hubs, product segments, and niche markets will be represented—from shoemakers to high-end boutiques,” he emphasizes.
Strong presence from Minas Gerais
One of the key footwear hubs featured at BFSHOW is Nova Serrana, located in the state of Minas Gerais, which will be represented by 74 exhibiting brands. Known for its focus on athletic footwear, the Minas Gerais cluster produces over 124 million pairs of shoes per year—accounting for 15% of Brazil’s total footwear output.
One of the confirmed exhibitors is Strike, from Nova Serrana. Producing over 2,000 pairs of sneakers per day for both domestic and international markets—with a focus on South America—the company has high expectations for BFSHOW. “We’re bringing an outstanding collection that will definitely catch buyers’ attention. In addition, we’ll be unveiling exclusive projects during the event,” says Strike’s Marketing Manager, Matheus Henrique Alves. According to him, the trade show serves as a key indicator that helps guide the company’s collection development and short-term commercial strategies. “We’re truly excited and have high hopes of welcoming loyal clients and opening up new markets during the event,” he adds.
According to Cíntia Costa Soares, Commercial and Development Director at Via Vip, participating in BFSHOW is now part of the company’s annual calendar—especially after the event’s move to São Paulo/SP. “We’ve taken part in every edition of BFSHOW, and the results have been excellent. In São Paulo, our company from Nova Serrana has secured more direct business connections and strengthened relationships,” she says. Producing an average of 4,000 pairs per day—ranging from sneakers to boots for both children and adults—Via Vip is optimistic about 2025. “At the trade show, we’re aiming to close sales geared toward Children’s Day, but we’ll also be presenting new collections and gauging retailers’ reactions firsthand. With these new products, we hope to reach every type of customer,” Cíntia adds.
São Paulo embraces BFSHOW
With 96 exhibitors confirmed, the state of São Paulo—responsible for more than 44 million pairs of shoes annually—has fully embraced the trade show organized by Abicalçados. Home to major names such as Alpargatas, maker of the Havaianas brand, São Paulo’s footwear sector will be strongly represented at the event, with new releases from companies of all sizes. One of the regional clusters taking part is Jaú, a city known for its women’s footwear production. For the local manufacturers, BFSHOW is a valuable opportunity to expand business both in Brazil and abroad.
Santa Flor, based in Jaú, has been part of BFSHOW since its second edition—the first one held in São Paulo—and expects a high volume of visitors from both domestic and international markets. “The trade show is essential for the industry, and moving it to São Paulo was a smart decision. It makes it easier for buyers from Brazil and abroad to attend and helps consolidate the calendar around a single, truly national-level footwear event,” says Helder Fernando Rascachi, the company’s Commercial Manager. Santa Flor produces more than 2,000 pairs of women’s shoes per day, 3% of which are exported.
The positive outlook is shared by Giovanna Mott, Director at Mariotta, also based in Jaú. “We’re feeling very optimistic about the upcoming BFSHOW, as the May edition traditionally coincides with a key buying season for retailers—summer collections,” she points out. According to Giovanna, both retailers and importers attend the event looking for products and opportunities tied to the most lucrative time of the year, which, according to Abicalçados, accounts for around 70% of annual footwear sales in Brazil. “At the most recent edition, we saw a strong turnout of both domestic and international buyers, creating excellent business opportunities,” she notes. For Giovanna, the event plays a vital role in showcasing the quality and diversity of Brazilian footwear to the world. Today, Mariotta produces 100,000 pairs of women’s shoes per month, exporting 15% of its output.
Ceará’s strength on display
The state of Ceará will be represented at BFSHOW by 23 exhibiting brands. Accounting for over 26% of Brazil’s total footwear production (around 225 million pairs per year), the Ceará footwear industry focuses primarily on Spring/Summer collections, offering high-quality flip-flops and beach sandals to both the domestic and international markets. With skilled labor, cutting-edge technology, and competitive pricing, Ceará is a major player in the sector.
One of the exhibitors from Ceará at BFSHOW is Tropical Brasil, a producer of flip-flops and beach sandals from Juazeiro do Norte. The company’s director, Ananias Neto, emphasizes that expectations for the trade show are very high. “This will be our second time participating in the event, and at our first edition, we had an extremely positive experience, generating numerous business opportunities both in the domestic and international markets,” he says. "Our participation provided excellent visibility and further solidified Tropical Brasil’s position within the national footwear ecosystem,” says Neto. For him, BFSHOW has become much more than just a business event. “It’s a strategic moment to update footwear fashion trends, strengthen ties with industry partners, and reaffirm the importance and strength of Brazil’s footwear market. It’s a showcase that demonstrates to both Brazil and the world the size, seriousness, and relevance of our sector,” says the director, who expresses his excitement for the upcoming edition. “Our expectation is to open new business opportunities, strengthen relationships with current clients, and resume conversations with international partners,” he concludes. Today, Tropical Brasil produces 240,000 pairs per month, exporting 5% of its output.
The ease of logistics, with the addition of a major national trade show in São Paulo, is highlighted by another exhibitor from the Northeast, Vizzia, a producer of sandals from Juazeiro do Norte. “The move of BFSHOW to São Paulo was very important, as it makes it easier for both national and international buyers to attend, streamlining the overall logistics of the event. We expect BFSHOW to bring back the best moments of the commercial trade shows that used to take place in São Paulo. The summer collection launch period is our key moment for exposure, so expectations are very high, especially in the international market,” says the company’s Export Manager, André Duarte Santos. Today, Vizzia produces an average of 15,000 to 16,000 pairs per day, exporting around 10%.
SERVICE
4th BFSHOW
Date: May 19-21 - from 9 AM to 7 PM on May 19-20, and from 9 AM to 5 PM on May 21
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)
