Author: Diego

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)

The surge in Brazilian footwear exports during the first two months of the year—more than 21 million pairs shipped, a 14.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024—is fueling optimism among footwear manufacturers ahead of the fourth edition of BFSHOW. Recognized as the biggest footwear trade show in Latin America in terms of both space and number of participating brands, the event will take place from May 19 to 21 at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo, Brazil.

Abicalçados’ Relationship and Business Manager, Letícia Sperb Masselli, emphasizes that the trade show has been attracting both domestic and, especially, international buyers seeking the excellence of Brazilian footwear. “Brazil is the leading footwear supplier outside Asia, combining quality and competitive pricing, particularly given the current exchange rate,” she explains. According to her, BFSHOW has already become an international reference for Brazilian footwear. “Since its first edition, the trade show has stood out for the opportunities and business generated for the international market. BFSHOW is the right place to win over international clients without leaving Brazil,” she adds.

Rico Azeredo, Head of New Business at NürnbergMesse Brasil, highlights the strong potential of the buyers registering for the event. “We already have confirmed buyers from key international markets, and we are seeing growing interest from the United States, Argentina, and European countries such as Spain, which in 2025 became the third-largest destination for Brazilian footwear abroad,” he notes. The organizer projects that the event will welcome more than 1,200 international buyers from all continents.

The prospect of boosting exports—or even kickstarting them—is one of the key reasons hundreds of companies participate in BFSHOW. Among them is Crep, a children's footwear manufacturer from São José dos Campos, São Paulo. The company’s CFO, Carla Crepaldi, shares that in November 2024, the brand secured its first international client at BFSHOW. “Since the second edition, we had been in talks with a major Peruvian wholesaler, but we had not yet formalized the export deal. Last November, we made our first international sale, and from now on, we plan to strengthen our presence in this market,” she says.

United States Sets Its Sights on Brazil
One of the confirmed international buyers is David Benzikry, CEO of Spring Footwear Corp. in the United States. Already working with Brazilian brands, he says this will be his first time at BFSHOW. “We import over $50 million in footwear annually and are the largest national footwear distribution network in the United States. Brazilian footwear is a blend of fashion, functionality, and emotion,” he says. According to him, the company aims to establish new connections at BFSHOW. “Tariffs between China and the United States have become a key factor in our search for new partners in Brazil,” he points out.

Summer Appeal in Spain
Another confirmed buyer at BFSHOW is Jose Antonio Albero, CEO of Nuez Moscada SL from Spain. With 400 stores across the country, the group already works with several Brazilian footwear companies and imports more than 20,000 pairs of Brazilian shoes annually. “Brazilian footwear is synonymous with vacations, leisure, and summer. For a country like Spain, where tourism is booming and summers are getting longer, Brazil offers the right product, combining competitive pricing with quality,” he says. At BFSHOW, Albero plans to visit existing suppliers and seek new manufacturers in the segment.

With a total area of over 32,000 square meters, the fourth edition of BFSHOW has already sold 93% of its exhibition spaces to Brazilian brands. Exhibitors interested in participating can visit the "QUERO EXPOR" section on the event’s website. Buyers can also use the same site to complete their pre-registration. www.bfshow.com.br. Neste mesmo site, compradores podem realizar o credenciamento antecipado.

SERVICE

4th BFSHOW
Date: May 19–21
Location: Distrito Anhembi (Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, Santana, São Paulo, Brazil)

The rising domestic demand for footwear fueled the industry’s production growth in 2024. Data compiled by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), based on IBGE indexes, show that production grew by 3.5% compared to 2023. In total, 896.8 million pairs were produced, with 97.4 million destined for export.

Abicalçados’ executive president, Haroldo Ferreira, explains that production growth could have been even higher if not for the surge in imported footwear, particularly from Asia. Last year, imports increased by 26% compared to 2023, with about 90% of these imports coming from Asian countries, mainly Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. “Today, over 85% of our production is absorbed by the domestic market, which remained strong throughout 2024, with apparent consumption growing by 7.7%. However, a significant share of this positive domestic performance was captured by imports,” says Ferreira.

Close to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The 896.8 million pairs produced in 2024 nearly matched the volume recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, when production reached 898.8 million pairs—just 0.2% higher than last year. Looking ahead to 2025, despite ongoing challenges, particularly in the international market, the sector is expected to recover losses caused by the global pandemic crisis. “2025 will be a challenging year, but we remain optimistic. In May, with BFSHOW—the largest footwear trade show in Latin America, held in São Paulo—we will have a clearer gauge of market trends,” Ferreira projects.

BFSHOW
BFSHOW is set to host more than 350 Brazilian footwear brands, welcoming retailers and importers from around the world. Taking place from May 19 to 21 at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, the event will showcase Summer collections, which account for over 70% of the domestic footwear industry's sales. More information is available at www.bfshow.com.br. www.bfshow.com.br.

The leading footwear trade show in Latin America, BFSHOW, will be 30% bigger in its fourth edition. Taking place from May 19 to 21 at the Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, the event will cover a total area of 31,900 square meters, up from 22,500 square meters in May 2024. Organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil, the upcoming edition has already sold over 80% of its available spaces.

Abicalçados’ Executive President, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that despite an uncertain scenario, especially in international markets, expectations for the trade show remain strong. “The Summer collections to be showcased at BFSHOW account for more than 70% of the Brazilian footwear industry’s annual sales. Both exhibitors and buyers recognize that this is the ideal moment to stock up for a year in which we anticipate a 2% increase in production, driven primarily by the domestic market,” says Ferreira.

Latin America’s Leading Trade Show
João Paulo Picolo, CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, highlights the event’s growth, as it solidifies its position as the region’s most important business platform for the footwear industry in both scale and exhibitor quality. “BFSHOW brings together all the leading Brazilian footwear brands, attracting a significant number of buyers from across the country and five continents,” says Picolo. The upcoming edition is expected to feature more than 350 Brazilian footwear brands, representing all industry segments and production hubs.

A Democratic Space
BFSHOW is an exclusive platform for showcasing Brazilian footwear manufacturers, whether or not they are Abicalçados members. Exhibit spaces are still available—companies can apply by filling out the form at the link https://bfshow.com.br/expositor/.

With the conclusion of its third edition, BFSHOW—organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil—has established itself as the leading trade show dedicated to the footwear sector in Latin America. The event stood out for its strong industry representation, international reach, and impressive results. It was held at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo/Brazil, from November 11 to 13.

In November, the trade show brought together 330 brands and 238 exhibitors, covering 11,611 square meters of exhibition space within a total area of 25,000 square meters. Buyers from 51 countries—including Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, Israel, Kuwait, Libya, Mozambique, Botswana, Portugal, Switzerland, and Slovenia—were in attendance, contributing to a total of 10,495 visitors over three days, 1,130 of whom were international. These numbers reflect BFSHOW’s growing reach and prestige. “BFSHOW reinforced the Brazilian footwear sector’s projections for more than 3% growth in 2024 and an additional 2% in 2025. It was a showcase of Brazilian footwear to the world and will continue to serve as a key indicator of an industry that is so relevant to Brazil,” says Letícia Sperb Masselli, Abicalçados’ Business and Relationship Manager.

Another highlight of the event was the Buyer Program, a partnership between Abicalçados, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), and NürnbergMesse Brasil, which brought in 638 buyers—478 from Brazil and 160 from international markets. “These figures speak volumes about the market’s potential. The trade show is still young, now in its third edition, with two of them already held in São Paulo. Moving the event to São Paulo was a strategic decision to further boost business opportunities and facilitate access for exhibitors and visitors alike,” adds Rico Azeredo, Head of New Business at NürnbergMesse Brasil. Beyond its strong numbers, BFSHOW has gained recognition for presenting the latest developments in the Brazilian footwear industry, reinforcing its role as a key hub for business, innovation, and strategic connections across the Latin American market.
Além dos números significativos, a BFSHOW tem se destacado por trazer o que há de mais atual na indústria calçadista brasileira, consolidando seu papel como referência para negócios, inovações e conexões estratégicas no setor latino-americano.

The next edition of the event will take place from May 19 to 21, 2025, at Distrito Anhembi. For more information, visit bfshow.com.br.

The 3rd edition of BFSHOW, footwear fair that brought together more than 330 brands between November 11 and 13, in the Anhembi District, in São Paulo/SP, registered record visitation and business. According to the organization, over the three days more than 10.4 thousand buyers passed through the pavilions of the event, which is twice as many as in November 2023. According to the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), the deals took place in important volumes, which will be tabulated in the coming days.

The CEO of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that BFSHOW will be decisive for the positive expectations of the sector. For 2024, the forecast for growth in production exceeds 3%, to more than 890 million pairs. By 2025, growth will be around 2%, causing the sector to recover losses from the pandemic and reach more than 900 million pairs produced. “We have here a great showcase of Brazilian footwear for the world. We gathered, in these three days, the main brands of the country and buyers from more than 60 countries”, evaluates the director, stressing that at the fair, significant business took place both in the domestic and international markets. "To attract buyers from abroad, BFSHOW worked together with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). With these projects alone, 160 importers and five international journalists were invited to promote our product abroad”, Ferreira lists.

According to the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, with each edition, BFSHOW demonstrates its growth and, therefore, has consolidated itself so quickly as the main event of the Brazilian footwear sector. “The fair is already an indispensable meeting point for professionals and the partnership of NürnbergMesse Brasil with Abicalçados has been fundamental to this success”, he comments. The CEO also says that the results of the third edition exceeded all expectations. “We are confident that BFSHOW will continue to evolve and strengthen the national footwear market. No wonder it is already among the main events in the company's portfolio. For the next edition, in May 2025, we expect a growth of 20% when compared to the number of exhibitors and visitors”, he evaluates.

"Right place and right time”
For Marcos Huff, director of Killana, from Três Coroas / RS, BFSHOW is a consolidated fair as the main one in the Brazilian calendar. According to him, during the three days, the exhibition received national and international clients focused on business. “BFSHOW is in the right place and at the right time, with logistical facilities and a very clear positioning aimed at the business. It is very similar to the main fairs in Europe”, he evaluates. Huff also points out that the company, in addition to receiving traditional customers, has opened new markets in Latin America, North America and Europe. “We had much better results than the fair held in May. For the May 2025 edition, we are even more optimistic, " he adds. Currently, Killana has a production of about 13 thousand pairs per month, of which it exports 60%.

The fair was also very positive for Crep, children's footwear industry of São José dos Campos / SP. The company's financial director, Carla Crepaldi, says the company opened its first international client at BFSHOW. "Since the second edition, we've been talking to a large wholesaler from Peru, but we had not yet formalized the export. In this edition, we made our first international sale, a market that we will work harder on from now on”, she celebrates. With a production of 600 pairs per day, the company sees BFSHOW as an important sales and relationship platform with the national and international markets and has confirmed their presence for the May 2025 edition.

With a visitation “much higher than last May”, Di Valentini, from São João Batista/SC, was quite satisfied with BFSHOW. According to the director of the company, José Osterno Filho, the fair had customers focused on business. “We have acquired new clients both domestically and internationally – in Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, England and Guatemala,” he says. Producing 6.5 thousand pairs per day, Di Valentini exports about 12% of its production, mainly to South American markets.

Fidelis Ferreira, from the sales department at Calçados Maria Isabel, from Conceição do Coité/BA, says that he did good business at the event and left some others agreed upon for the post-fair. “I believe that we will have a growth between 20% and 30% in the business carried out here, in relation to the November 2023 fair, contact domestic and international market, from where we had visits from Canada and Argentina”, projects the shoemaker.

International
For the first time at BFSHOW, Arise buyer from Mozambique, Thembumenzi Souto, said that she has been buying premium Brazilian shoes since 2009, when she decided to exchange suppliers from Bulgaria for suppliers from Brazil. “When I met the Brazilian products, I realized that they had a much higher quality and variety. Currently, we work with seven brands from Brazil and BFSHOW is giving us the opportunity to expand our product mix here”, says the importer, stressing that the partnership of her network with the Brazilian footwear industry is very important for the company's growth.

National
Brazilian buyers were also positively surprised by the structure of the pavilions that hosted BFSHOW in the Anhembi District. Nostalgic for a time when large trade fairs took place on the site, before the renovation opened this year, shopkeepers stressed the quality of the renovation and the organization of the event. “I really liked the structure, with easy access and good distribution by segments”, evaluates the shopkeeper Vinícius Liessi dos Santos, from Calçado Franca, from Maringá/PR. According to him, the network closed deals and left many others agreed upon for the coming months.

The next edition of the BFSHOW will also take place in the Anhembi District, in São Paulo/SP, between May 19th and 21st, 2025.

As leading men's footwear brands are showcasing their new collections through Wednesday at BFSHOW, the largest footwear trade show in Brazil, held at the newly opened Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo. Functional footwear is the common trend, with a spotlight on boots — whether they’re utilitarian, sporty, or casual styles suitable for both work and city wear.

One of the exhibiting brands, Democrata, presents its new collection featuring nine boot styles. The “Dusty” line brings an urban aesthetic with distressed leather and a vintage look. Another innovation from the brand is the new addition to the “Pulse” line, now with TPU-capsule soles on casual shoes. This collection's campaign stars Cauã Reymond and Gisele Bündchen.

Macboot, known particularly for its boots, combines comfort and durability in footwear designed for both daily use and outdoor activities. According to Renato Virgilio, Marketing Coordinator, a highlight for BFSHOW is the new Flutua+ technology, now present in nearly all Macboot lines, offering a non-slip sole and EVA midsole that provides maximum cushioning and added lightness. “We’re also adding a touch of sportiness and casual style to our Adventure line, making it a shoe suitable for urban environments too, taking you from the trail to the workplace,” he adds.

Ferracini's latest releases emphasize usability and diverse approaches with a desire for unique acquisitions. Their new lines include shoes and ankle boots that showcase a modern twist, featuring square shapes. The designs are also versatile and include an easywear system — reinforcing the brand’s goal to make footwear easier to slip on, catering to various needs.

Polo Go brings a sporty touch with cleat-style shoes inspired by iconic soccer styles. Known for its urban and casual portfolio with flat sneakers, the brand now adds a sporty element to its range. “These cleat-inspired shoes are highly popular here at BFSHOW, especially among trendsetters. It’s the product that has drawn the most attention from visitors. We’ve also introduced larger sizes, up to 44 and 45, which has been well received given the strong market demand,” says André Costa, CEO of Grupo Ride, which includes Polo Go alongside three other brands: Kids & Baby, Secrets, and Keep GOing.

Brazil's domestic market, which absorbs over 85% of national footwear industry sales, is expected to sustain the sector’s production growth through 2024 and 2025. This topic, alongside issues such as unfair competition from Asian footwear and international e-commerce platforms, was addressed during the press conference of the third edition of BFSHOW. The event, which started yesterday (11), will run until tomorrow (13) at the Anhembi District in São Paulo, Brazil.

Emphasizing a 4.8% growth in footwear production from January to September this year, according to IBGE data, the Executive President of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), Haroldo Ferreira, noted that the domestic market should support industry growth of over 3% in 2024 and approximately 2% in 2025. “With this, by 2025, we should be able to recover the losses incurred during the pandemic, which caused a major disruption in the sector. This year, we expect to close with a production of over 890 million pairs of shoes, reaching up to 904 million pairs next year. In 2019, production was 898 million pairs.”

Unfair Competition
Ferreira further stressed that the growth in the footwear industry could be even more significant if not for the unfair competition from Asian-made footwear and international e-commerce platforms. “In 2024, we expect exports to decrease by around 20% and imports to grow by over 20%, primarily due to Asian countries. These products enter the Brazilian market at prices below standard market rates, engaging in predatory competition with our industry,” he explained. According to him, Abicalçados is working to expand the current antidumping measures—which today apply to Chinese footwear with a surcharge of $10.22 per pair entering Brazil—to include Vietnam and Indonesia. “Currently, Chinese production is shifting to nearby countries with even lower labor costs, which continue to practice dumping,” he added.

Trade Show
Following this, the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, highlighted BFSHOW’s growth, driven by increased production and demand in the domestic market. “We have here a trade show that demonstrates the strength of Brazil’s footwear sector. With 238 booths and over 330 brands of shoes spread across a total area of 25,000 square meters,” he shared. Expected to attract over 10,000 buyers from Brazil and 60 other countries, BFSHOW has now become the leading footwear trade show in South America.

International
Mariele Christ, Industry and Services Coordinator at the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), emphasized the international expansion of BFSHOW, which features two projects led by Abicalçados in collaboration with ApexBrasil through the Brazilian Footwear program. “The Brazilian Footwear program, renewed earlier this year, secures more than R$ 32 million in investments to promote Brazilian footwear exports over a two-year period,” she said. This third edition of the trade show includes the Buyer Project, hosting 26 international buyers from 16 countries, and the Image Project, which has invited five journalists from Angola, Chile, Colombia, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. With the total number of buyers brought in through the joint effort of BFSHOW and both organizations, more than 180 importers from all continents are represented.

Challenges
Also present at the press conference, Pedro Bartelle, CEO of Vulcabras, Brazil’s leading producer of sports footwear, highlighted the issue of counterfeiting by showing a counterfeit “Olympikus” sneaker. “The Brazilian industry faces numerous challenges, from unfair competition to high taxes and labor costs, which are at least 40% higher than those in Asian countries. Counterfeiting is another serious issue in this list,” he stated.

The press conference was also attended by Roberto Argenta, President of Calçados Beira Rio; Vania Castilho Mestriner, Creative Director at World Colors; Paulo Barth, Commercial Director at Grendene; Rodrigo Martins, Commercial Director at Marina Mello; and Marcelo Paludetto, Commercial Manager at Democrata.

INDUSTRY DATA

2024 PRODUCTION (forecast): 882 million to 893 million pairs (growth of 1.9% to 3.2% compared to 2023)

2025 PRODUCTION (forecast): 897 million to 904 million pairs (growth of 1.1% to 1.9%)

DIRECT EMPLOYMENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 2024: 294.8 thousand (+14.6 thousand jobs created this year, though stock remains 2.1% lower than in the same period in 2023)

EXPORTS THROUGH OCTOBER 2024: 81.2 million pairs, -20.7% compared to the same period in 2023

2024 EXPORTS (forecast): 95.6 million to 101.2 million pairs (-19.2% to -14.5% compared to 2023)

IMPORTS THROUGH OCTOBER 2024: 29.8 million pairs, +20.9% compared to the same period in 2023 (three Asian countries—China, Vietnam, and Indonesia—account for approximately 80% of this volume)