On the Soul of Portuguese Shoes By Matthew Pritchard In recent years, the Portuguese footwear industry has been changing rapidly. Shoe manufacturers across the country have weathered the challenges of the pandemic, modernizing their facilities and production methods and investing in sustainable production practices.
In 2021, Portugal exported 22 million pairs of shoes, with a total estimated value of $540M USD. Currently, Portugal exports more than 95% of its footwear production to 163 countries.
Now, within the industry, Portugal’s strongest feature is its shoe manufacturers’ abilities to combine generational shoemaking knowledge and practices with technology, flexibility, and luxurious design.
Across the board, Portugal ranks, on average, between photo: Luis Onofre 15th to 17th in worldwide shoe production. Despite this, Portuguese shoes are the second-most expensive footwear export in the world, at an average export price of $25. In first place? Italy, with an export price of roughly $46. Comparatively speaking, the world average export price in 2021 stood at $10 a pair.
So, what really makes Portuguese shoes so special, you ask? Tie your laces, bucko; you’re in for a ride. Portuguese Footwear at a Glance Portuguese shoes and footwear brands may not be as well-known as major brands like Nike or New Balance, but Portugal’s footwear companies are known worldwide for their quality, excellent service, and adaptability to the ever-changing marketplace. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous shoe manufacturers in Portugal. • Centenário: Est. 1941. Men’s and women’s shoes, with classic and eccentric options. Look for their GoodyearWelted and Moccasin designs. • Miguel Vieira: Est. 1988. Ladies’ and men’s footwear, featuring high-end and classic styles. • Cohibas: Est. 1996. Men’s and women’s elegant dress shoes, and quirky casual shoes. • Luis Onofre: Est. 2000. Luxury men’s and women’s shoes with a timeless appeal. • Fly London: Est.1994. Hip, modern styles for men and women. For the most part, Portuguese shoes with international recognition are priced similarly to USA markets. If you’re looking to shop locally, you’ll find a variety of high-quality options within a range of reasonable prices: 70€ – 250€.
photo: Fly London
64 Portugal Living Magazine
Hard Data, Soft Soles Understanding how the shoe market in Portugal fits within the global scheme provides a wealth of insight into the country’s exports.
A survey of Portugal’s GDP in 2021 reveals that the top five export partners for all Portuguese goods were Spain ($20B), France ($9.8B), Germany ($8.2B), the United States ($4B) and the United Kingdom ($3.9B). Of these countries, Spain, France, Germany, and the UK are the primary Portuguese footwear importers. Though European countries are the main destination for Portuguese footwear, New Zealand, China, and the United States have been demonstrating interest in importing shoes from Portugal over the past photo: Miguel Viera few years. Perhaps it’s Portugal’s time-tested dedication to the craft of shoemaking that’s setting them apart on the global stage. “Made in Portugal” – A Stamp of Excellence The art of shoemaking is very much strong in Portugal, and across the world. Historically, Portuguese footwear was seen as a traditional industry, marked by intensive labor costs. As shoe manufacturers found themselves drawn toward cheaper Asian subcontractors, the footwear industry in Portugal refocused itself on quality and technological innovation. This refocusing was, in part, led by Portuguese business owners. Entrepreneurs in Portugal bet on their decades of
