Over the last decade, Portugal's footwear production increased by 14.4% (from 74 to 85 million pairs), compared to a 14% decline (from 97 to 83 million) in the Spanish industry. Only Italy fares better, although it's consistently losing ground to Portugal year after year. The Italian sector took a step back, decreasing by 18.6% since 2012 to 162 million pairs produced in 2022 (far from the 199 million a decade earlier).
Practically speaking, only Portugal has strengthened footwear production in Europe. By the numbers, Portugal's share of the European output increased by 34.3%, now accounting for 17.1%.
"This is the result of continued investment in Portugal's footwear sector, the definition of an ambitious vision, and tailored public policies that have allowed the sector to reposition itself on the international competitive stage," remarked Luís Onofre. For the President of APICCAPS, "regardless of complex economic cycles, we continue to believe in the future of our industry." "It's worth noting that we have two major projects underway, under the PRR, which involve an investment of 140 million euros by the end of next year and even by the end of the decade, under the new Strategic Plan, we intend to invest 600 million euros." "This is our greatest proof of confidence in the future of this sector," he emphasized.
Currently, there are 6,381 footwear companies registered in Italy (a decline of 25.8% over a decade), 2,808 in Spain (down 16.1% since 2012), and 2,428 in Portugal (a 5% decrease). These three countries are responsible for nearly 70% of European footwear production.