Growing interest in Colombia's 2025 trade fair
Driven by potential government measures that could boost consumption and industrial activity in the sector, the organizers of the Bogotá event have launched an ambitious promotional campaign, extending invitations to national and international companies to participate in the upcoming edition, to be held from February 4 to 7, 2025, at the Gran Salón of Corferias.
According to William Parrado, Executive Vice President of ACICAM -Colombian Association of Footwear, Leather, and its Manufactured Goods Industrialists- the sector entity promoting the exhibition, "we expect more than 450 exhibitors and significant participation from both local and international buyers."
The fair showcases producers of footwear and manufactured goods from Colombia's main production hubs, accompanied by suppliers of leather, materials, components, and technology from both domestic and foreign markets. The previous edition in July 2024 included suppliers from Brazil (ASSINTECAL), Mexico (APIMEX), Turkey, and European countries.
The importance of IFLS+EICI lies in its strategic value as a geographic hub for the Andean region, that encompasses neighbouring countries, which regularly visit the exhibition.
The ACICAM executive noted that in the first half of 2024, footwear production and sales saw an average decline of 5% compared to the same period in 2023. This drop was attributed to political and economic uncertainty caused by government measures, leading to reduced consumption and stockpiling among retailers. Additionally, the persistence of smuggling and informality, which remain largely unaddressed by the government, was noted.
Organizers of the fair remain hopeful for a positive start to 2025, anticipating government action to boost public spending, which should directly improve consumption. There are also new expectations for exports, supported by Procolombia, which continues to explore markets in Ecuador, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, among others.
According to industry sources, the Colombian footwear sector comprises more than 5,000 establishments, primarily micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, employing 75,000 people and producing an average of 40 million pairs annually. In addition to this, informal workshops with minimal staff produce approximately 20 million pairs.
Regarding exports, according to data from the market observatory RADDAR, based on DANE (National Administrative Department of Statistics) figures, just over 1 million pairs were exported between January and July 2024, with a value of US$ 22.5 million, representing a 0.4% increase. However, in terms of volume, exports dropped by 10.2%. The main export destinations were the United States (26,8%), Ecuador (24,8%), and Costa Rica (10%).
On the import side, from January to July, Colombia imported US$ 260 million worth of footwear, marking a 9,5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The top sources were China (43,7%), Vietnam (26,4%), and Indonesia (10,8%).
According to ACICAM, approximately 120 million pairs were sold in 2023, 25% of which were dominated by informality and smuggling.
