The global footwear industry has rebounded. After the uncertainties of the pandemic and several slow years, 2024 closed with a net result: 6.9% more production, equal to nearly 24 billion pairs. This recovery reflects the return of global demand and the resilience of a supply chain that, once again, finds its absolute center in Asia. China, India, and Vietnam combined account for nearly 90% of shoe production and over half of consumption: numbers that demonstrate industrial power, but also dependence on a single region of the world.
Growth wasn’t limited to factories. Exports also made significant progress: volumes increased by 4.6%, with total value up over 30%. One significant detail: the average producer price fell, a sign that the market is moving on two fronts: on the one hand, accessibility and product democratization; on the other, premium and luxury, which continue to thrive but are no longer sufficient on their own.
If 2024 was the year of the production rebound, 2025 looks ahead with a different perspective: global footwear consumption is expected to grow by 8.4%. It’s not a wild ride, but rather a steady pace, supported by a market aiming to reach nearly $500 billion in value. A progression that isn’t rushing ahead, but rather consolidating its momentum.
In this scenario, Europe remains outside the battle for volumes but defends its role as a cultural and creative hub. Italian manufacturing districts, rather than chasing numbers, continue to represent artisanal excellence, design, and the ability to transform a shoe into a symbol of identity. This is where value endures, even when the rest of the world is mass-producing.
The industry’s current picture is entirely defined by this dual speed: quantity reassembling, value seeking new balances. Producing more is possible again. Giving meaning to what is produced remains the only real challenge.
Alessandro Sicuro
Brand Strategist | Photographer | Art Director | Project Manager
Alessandro Sicuro Comunication
Sure-com America 