The official opening of the 6th edition of BFSHOW, The biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America, which brings together around 350 Brazilian brands at the Distrito Anhembi venue, in São Paulo/SP, underscored the strength of the sector. The fifth largest employer within the Manufacturing Industry, with approximately 270,000 direct jobs across Brazil, the segment is the largest footwear producer in the West, with more than 847 million pairs produced in 2025. Held by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil (NMB), the trade show runs through next Wednesday, May 20.
At the opening, Abicalçados’ Executive President, Haroldo Ferreira, pointed to the figures that have positioned BFSHOW as The biggest footwear tradeshow in Latin America in less than three years — its first edition took place in November 2023. Across its editions, the event has welcomed more than 47,000 visitors from all Brazilian states and over 60 countries. For this edition alone, the trade show is expected to receive more than 12,000 visitors, around 1,200 of whom are international, in a 32,000-square-meter venue. “BFSHOW represents much more than business. It symbolizes Brazil’s production strength, the innovative capacity of our industry, and the sector’s confidence in the future. We are living through a period of profound transformation in the global economy. Consumption dynamics have changed, e-commerce has expanded borders, international competition has intensified, and markets are becoming increasingly challenging. Yet the Brazilian footwear industry continues to demonstrate its capacity for adaptation, creativity, and competitiveness,” he said, adding that BFSHOW reflects the “evolution of the sector” amid contemporary challenges.
Following that, the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil (NMB), João Paulo Picolo, emphasized the resilience of exhibitors amid a “challenging moment.” “Today we open the 6th edition of BFSHOW, an event that reaffirms the strength of the Brazilian footwear sector. A platform designed to connect the entire production chain, fostering opportunities, business, and strategic exchanges among exhibitors, buyers, and visitors. More than a trade show, BFSHOW has consolidated its position as a high value-added platform that delivers results, strengthens relationships, and drives market growth for all participants,” he said.
Also present at the opening, the Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce, Márcio Elias Rosa, highlighted the importance of the footwear sector to the Brazilian economy, noting that the government is aligned with Abicalçados’ agenda aimed at strengthening the activity, particularly in the face of predatory competition from Asian imports. “We are attentive to all matters involving the sector’s competitiveness, including those related to the end of the low-value import tax exemption, widely discussed here. We are evaluating measures to mitigate its impacts,” he said.
Also speaking at the opening of BFSHOW were the Corporate Management Director of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Floriano Pesaro; the president of CIESP, Rafael Cervone; the president of the Congressional Front in Support of the Leather and Footwear Sector in the National Congress, federal deputy Lucas Redecker; the president of the Parliamentary Front in Defense of the Leather-Footwear Sector of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, state deputy Joel Wilhelm; the acting governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Gabriel Souza; and the Customer Service Manager at Sebrae/SP, Daniel Palácio Alves.
During the opening, the Footwear Industry Report – Brazil 2026 was also launched, a publication developed by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) featuring national and international industry data, as well as short- and medium-term projections for the sector. The material is available free of charge at the link. link.
SERVICE
6th BFSHOW
Date: May 18-20, 2026
Time: May 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | May 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Distrito Anhembi, São Paulo, Brazil
More information and registration: www.bfshow.com.br.
