The Portuguese footwear industry is investing €600 million by 2030 to become a significant alternative to Italian shoe production, according to Luís Onofre, president of the Portuguese footwear association APICCAPS. By Footwearbiz.

This strategic plan focuses on qualification, sustainability, flexibility, and market presence, with 24 measures and 113 actions aimed at repositioning the sector globally.

Major projects like BioShoes4All and FAIST, highlighting automation and sustainability, are set to complete by 2025.

Portugal’s footwear industry, comprising 1,500 companies and 40,000 employees, exports 90% of its production to 173 countries.

Despite recent declines in EU production, signs of recovery are emerging.