According to the latest data from Assocalzaturifici, in January–June 2025, Italian footwear sales fell by 5.6% and industrial production by 9.5%. Exports grew by 3.2% in volume but dropped 2.7% in value, reaching €4.89 billion. The average export price per pair declined by 5.7% to €57.8.
EU markets remained stable, while the UAE (+26.6%) and Türkiye (+13.5%) recorded strong growth. However, weaker results in the Far East and CIS weighed on the sector. Imports surged, with flows from Asian countries up 45%, especially from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
On the domestic front, household consumption kept falling (-0.7% in spending), with only sports footwear showing a modest +1.2% increase. Industry employment also shrank, with 81 factories closing and total workforce declining to 69,449 employees.
Assocalzaturifici President Giovanna Ceolini stressed the uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs: “The growth in April (+1.9%) and May (+1.8%) may have been anticipatory operations before the tariffs came into force. It is too early to draw conclusions.” With the U.S. market worth €1.4 billion in 2024, its importance remains critical for Italian exporters.
