Non-EU markets boost Spain’s footwear exports

19/12/2018
Spain exported 122.7 million pairs of shoes for a total value of just over €2.1 billion during the first nine months of 2018, according to the latest data from the country’s principal footwear association, FICE.

These figures represent a fall of 1% in value and of 3.6% in volume compared to the same period of last year. The average price per pair was 2.7% higher year-on-year. 

Shoes with leather uppers made up 56.4% of exports in terms of value. Exports of this type of footwear were up 0.4% in volume and 1% in value, with the average price per pair also increasing 1%. 

The European Union is the most important export market for Spanish footwear, taking in 80% of the total number of pairs exported from the country. Exports to the EU were down 3.8% in value and 5.1% in volume during the first nine months of the year, with France, Italy, Germany, Portugal and the UK the leading destinations. 

The news from outside the EU was much more positive. Spain’s shoe exports to non-EU countries were up 7.2% in value and 3% in volume year-on-year for the January-September period. This was led by strong performance in the US and Chinese markets.