After a 1.1% drop in footwear production in 2023, to 839.3 million pairs, the national footwear industry expects a growth of 2.2% next year, reaching 857.8 million pairs produced in the country. The projections were released at the press conference of the Brazilian Footwear Show – BFSHOW, held on the morning of the 22nd, at the Event Center FIERGS, in Porto Alegre/RS. The first edition of the footwear show, which brings together 138 of the main Brazilian footwear brands, takes place until the 23rd.
On the occasion, the executive chairman of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, began by emphasizing that, although the data are not so positive, Abicalçados is a class entity committed to facts and discloses real numbers that guide the more than 4,000 Brazilian footwear industries in their plans and strategies. "Brazil is a country with great potential, but unfortunately some conditions of competitiveness are compromised. We have high production costs, a de-heated market, both here and abroad and fierce, unfair competition from international platforms that are now exempt from any import tax on shipments of up to US$ 50,” he said.
The CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, pointed out that the first edition of BFSHOW points to a promising horizon for the footwear sector. “It is our first trade fair in the footwear sector and we are very satisfied with what we see. Certainly, the union of the sector with ApexBrasil, industry association and footwear unions will be an important boost to make BFSHOW the largest Brazilian fair in the footwear industry,” he said. The CEO also emphasized that the feedback to the first edition is being very positive, especially for the infrastructure of the FIERGS pavilions. “Our business is based on the satisfaction of our customers and the hospitality we offer with good service and comfort in the facilities,” he said.
The official partner in the organization of BFSHOW, the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), was also represented at the press conference, represented by its industry and services manager Maria Paula Velloso. On the occasion, the manager stressed the joint efforts to attract more than 150 international buyers from 30 countries, which resulted in lively business traffic at the event.
Return
Resuming participation in footwear fairs, one of the largest footwear industries in the country, Vulcabras, was represented by its CEO, Pedro Bartelle. "Participating in this historic moment for the sector, which is to have a fair held by its highest-class entity, Abicalçados, is important to show the full potential of our industry and discuss the relevant agendas for our activity. We have a productive Brazil, but it lacks competitive conditions. Not only do we struggle with high production costs, but today we also suffer greatly from unfair competition from platforms. These are issues that should be debated and brought to the public through Abicalçados. Events such as BFSHOW allow us to have important debates. We are very happy to be here, to present our technologies and to support the sector”, he mentioned.
The press conference was also attended by entrepreneurs Sérgio Bocayuva (Usaflex), Carlos Mestriner (Klin), Ronaldo Lacerda (Lynd) and Marcelo Paludetto (Democrata), as well as Daniela Machado, Fashion Project Articulation Analyst at Sebrae RS.
Union
BFSHOW is a trade fair held by Abicalçados, organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil and sponsored by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae). The official partner is the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (ApexBrasil). Support comes from the footwear unions industries of Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia, Paraíba, Estância Velha, Sapiranga, Birigui, Campo Bom, Dois Irmãos, Jaú, Fortaleza, Farroupilha, Parobé, Franca, Igrejinha, Nova Serrana and Novo Hamburgo. Learn more about the fair on the website www.bfshow.com.br.
About Abicalçados
Abicalçados represents the Brazilian footwear industry, fifth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1983, Abicalçados is based in Novo Hamburgo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and its members are companies of all sizes accounting for more than 65 percent of the footwear produced in the country. The entity represents an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. Its mission is to represent, defend, develop, and promote Brazil’s footwear industry with respect, excellency, and results.
About the organizers
NürnbergMesse Brasil is a subsidiary of the NürnbergMesse Group, one of the 15 largest fair organizers in the world. The group’s portfolio includes more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Every year, more than 30,000 expositors and more than 1,5 million visitors meet in events hosted by NürnbergMesse, which also has subsidiaries in China, United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and India, The group also established a network with sone 50 representatives operating in more than 116 countries.
