Brazil’s footwear makers note buyers wary of US tariffs
More than 40 Brazilian footwear brands celebrated success at Italian trade show Expo Riva Schuh in mid-January, with 375,000 pairs of shoes sold, generating over $5.4 million.
Including deals initiated at the trade show, the figures rise to 1.6 million pairs and $21.3 million, according to Brazilian footwear association Abicalçados.
Letícia Sperb Masselli, Abicalçados’ business and relationship manager, said: “Most Brazilian companies have been attending this event for more than one or two decades, reaping the benefits of consistent participation that showcases the commitment of Brazil’s footwear industry to the international market.”
One of these companies is Bischoff Group. Its export manager, Henrique Galhego, said maintaining a consistent export strategy is essential. “We’ve been sowing the seeds for years, and this trade show is where we see the harvest. Visitor turnout exceeded expectations, with new clients and markets such as Yugoslavia, England, Poland, Palestine and Ireland. We also maintained relationships with existing clients, with sample orders and deals closed on-site,” said Galhego.
He added the election of Donald Trump has raised concerns among companies about their Asian production due to potential tariff increases. “At this trade show, some companies have already started looking to Brazil as a country offering quality products at competitive prices,” he said.
The 102nd edition of the trade show saw attendance levels similar to those recorded in January 2024. Preliminary figures indicate around 9,000 visitors from 100 countries over the four days. The event hosted 1,100 exhibitors from 36 countries.
