Arequipa loses producers
Over the past five years, the number of footwear sector entrepreneurs in Arequipa has decreased from 9,000 to 2,500, according to Juan Chávez Farfán -president of the Expocalzado Arequipa Association-.
Factors such as the pandemic, border closures, the entry of Chinese products, and unfair competition have been identified as the main causes of this decline.
Meanwhile, leather footwear sales have dropped by more than 60%, affecting both sneakers and shoes. However, Arequipa continues to export to international markets such as Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, while distributing approximately one million pairs per month to various regions of the country, including Lima, Trujillo, and Huancayo.