Turkey produces 175 million shoe pairs a year. Its leather industry provides a basis for production. Manufacturers make boots, sneakers, sandals for men and women. Mexico produces 245 million pairs annually. China’s Pearl River Delta region has 30% of global shoe production. It has low labor costs and materials. Italy produces 205 million pairs a year. Its brands and leathers are coveted. Spain is known for sandals and espadrilles. Its pricing can beat Italy.
Footwear Manufacturing Hubs
Almost all Nike shoes are made outside the US, mostly in China and Vietnam. Adidas delivers over 900 million shoes globally. Its foundations are in Germany.
Asia Pacific Dominance
Where are most shoes manufactured? China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia are leaders in footwear production, which highlights the domination of the Asia Pacific (APAC) region in this industry. These four countries accounted for over 75 percent of footwear production worldwide as of 2021.
Thailand has an annual production of 245 million pairs of footwear a year. Its shoe manufacturing scope includes sporting shoes, student shoes, sandals, and fashion shoes. Thai access to good quality leather and lower wholesale prices have made the country a shoe buyers’ dream. Pakistan comes in with an output of 295 million pairs of shoes a year.
Dongguan, China, the largest footwear production area in the world, trumps other shoe manufacturing areas entirely. This area makes around 65% of the world’s high-end shoes or popular shoes. Dongguan hosts more than 1,500 footwear factories and over 3,500 related companies and traders.
Most shoes we wear today are produced in factories across Asia for a variety of shoe manufacturers. For example, Nike utilizes factories in countries such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, and Thailand.
Ethical and Sustainable Choices
Designer shoes often use higher quality materials and receive more attention to detail, but the manufacturing process is generally the same as regular shoes. The process of shoe manufacturing has taken us across the globe into countries like China, Vietnam, Italy, Brazil, and the U.S. However, concerning labor practices and environmental impact issues exist within the industry. As consumers, we can make informed choices that help promote ethical and sustainable footwear production.