Paris – Exports remain the backbone of Italy’s footwear industry. According to the latest economic report by the Centro Studi di Confindustria Accessori Moda for Assocalzaturifici, the global market landscape is increasingly divided.

Within the European Union, the first ten months of the year - the latest period covered by official Istat data - showed encouraging momentum, with exports rising both in value (+1.9%) and volume (+7.6%), driven by strong performances in nearby markets. Outside the EU, however, exports declined by an average of 3.3% in value.

The sharpest downturn was recorded in the Far East, where sales plunged by 18%. China, once a driving force for luxury goods, saw exports fall by 23.4% in value, reflecting weakened consumer confidence and changing luxury consumption patterns. In contrast, the Middle East posted strong growth (+12.9% in value), with the United Arab Emirates (+18.6%) confirming their role as a key hub for high-end footwear.

The United States presented a mixed picture. While exports rose by 4.4% in value over the first ten months (despite a 2.4% decline in volume), the introduction of new customs duties following the late-July US–EU agreement has created uncertainty, weighing on short-term prospects.

“Internationally, exports remain our vital lifeline,” said Giovanna Ceolini, president of Assocalzaturifici. “But market geography is changing rapidly. Europe’s resilience and the Middle East’s strong growth only partially offset the worrying slowdown in the Far East, particularly China. At the same time, we are watching the United States with great caution, as new protectionist measures in a key high-end market add further uncertainty in an already delicate phase.”