Footwear with uppers of textile materials market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for footwear with textile uppers in Germany experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2024. A sharp decline to 103.9 thousand pairs in 2020 was directly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted consumer spending and led to retail bankruptcies. The subsequent recovery was slow, with the market volume reaching only 104.2 thousand pairs in 2021 as persistent inflation and consumer caution continued to dampen demand.

A strong catch-up effect in 2022 propelled the market volume to 142 thousand pairs, driven by pent-up consumer demand and the rising popularity of sneakers, which captured a 28.2% market share. Despite a 4% revenue increase in the broader footwear sector, the specific market volume fell to 93.7 thousand pairs in 2023, indicating a shift toward higher-value products amid intense competition from online retailers. The market recovered to 107.5 thousand pairs in 2024, coinciding with the entry of new niche players, such as a shoe line by Nicki Minaj, and a shift in consumer preferences toward sustainable footwear ahead of new EU Ecodesign regulations.

Production footwear with textile uppers in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of footwear with uppers of textile materials was valued at 39 282 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.8% increase compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K 2u

In 2020, Germany produced 428.1 thousand pairs of footwear with uppers of textile materials, representing a significant decline of 31.9% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K 2u

Exports footwear with textile uppers from Germany

Exports in kind, M 2u

After two consecutive years of growth, exports of footwear with uppers of textile materials from Germany declined in 2020. The country exported 65.1 million pairs that year, showing a notable decrease of 18.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 2.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 79.9 million pairs, and the largest annual increase of 14.2% also occurred in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M 2u

From 2017 to 2020, Germany supplied footwear with uppers of textile materials to a diverse range of markets. Poland accounted for 16.0% of exports in volume, Slovakia for 13.3%, and the Netherlands for 8.5%. Together, these three countries made up 37.9% of total exports, while the remaining 62.1% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, the value of footwear with uppers of textile materials exported from Germany fell in 2020. Exports totaled 1 218 million US dollars, reflecting a modest decline of 2.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 47.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 251 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 24.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, Switzerland, Poland, and France were significant but not dominant buyers of footwear with uppers of textile materials from Germany in value terms. Switzerland accounted for 13.2% of export value, Poland for 12.9%, and France for 9.3%. Their combined share reached 35.4% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports footwear with textile uppers to Germany

Imports in kind, M 2u

In 2020, Germany imported 168.6 million pairs of footwear with uppers of textile materials, indicating a decline of 19.5% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 18.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 209.4 million pairs, and the largest annual increase of 3.3% also occurred in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M 2u

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Germany's imports of footwear with uppers of textile materials in volume, holding a 71.8% share of total flows. The remainder was distributed across other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of footwear with uppers of textile materials imported into Germany amounted to 1 797 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 3.2% from the previous year. The lowest value during the period was in 2018 at 1 701 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 1 855 million US dollars. The largest annual decline of 6.8% occurred in 2018, and the largest increase of 9.1% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, China, Vietnam, and Italy were the primary sources for Germany's imports of footwear with uppers of textile materials in value terms. China accounted for 48.4% of import value, Vietnam for 14.0%, and Italy for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented 70.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020