Footwear with uppers of textile materials market in Slovakia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for footwear with textile uppers in Slovakia grew from 132.6 million US dollars in 2018 to 150.4 million in 2019. This increase was supported by the industry's strategic focus on high-fashion and technically demanding footwear, which helped local manufacturers withstand low-cost competition. Additionally, the transition of several factories from state to private ownership led to more flexible market responses and improved efficiency. Sector-driven innovations supported by the Ministry of Labor, aimed at boosting productivity, further contributed to the market expansion during this period.

In 2020, the market declined to 141.6 million US dollars, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic's negative impact on the textile, clothing, and footwear sector. Supply chain disruptions caused material shortages, which slowed down production and delayed modernization investments. These factors directly reduced the overall market volume for that year.

The market faced continued challenges in the following years. While investments in production modernization, such as those by Lowa Production, and rising consumer demand for sustainable and barefoot footwear provided some positive momentum, significant headwinds emerged. In 2022, the exit of a major producer, Rieker, from Vietnamese cooperation led to the closure of domestic capacity, and soaring energy prices coupled with high inflation severely pressured manufacturers. These events contributed to a steep decline in domestic production, culminating in a sharply reduced market size of 76.1 million US dollars by 2024. Throughout 2023, the industry maintained its emphasis on sustainable materials and export market development, but these efforts were outweighed by the structural losses and economic pressures.

Production footwear with textile uppers in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 38-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the output of footwear with uppers of textile materials in Slovakia was valued at 157.5 million US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 4.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 165.3 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 3,143.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K 2u

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Volumes hit a trough in 2017 and a peak in 2019, with a 20-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Slovakia produced 10,406 thousand pairs of footwear with uppers of textile materials, down by 4.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10,860 thousand pairs. The largest increase was seen in 2018, with a rise of 1,822.0%.

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

Exports footwear with textile uppers from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K 2u

After a two-year improvement, Slovakia's export volume of footwear with uppers of textile materials declined. In 2020, the export volume stood at 16,249 thousand pairs, representing a gradual drop of 9.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 7.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17,936 thousand pairs. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Czechia, and Hungary were the main destinations for Slovakia's exports of footwear with uppers of textile materials in kind. Austria accounted for 30.3% of exports, Czechia for 18.1%, and Hungary for 16.8%, together absorbing 65.2% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, the volume of footwear with uppers of textile materials exported from Slovakia declined. In 2020, Slovakia exported 175.2 million US dollars worth of such footwear, which is 2.9% lower year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 29%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 180.4 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Germany, and Czechia were the main markets for Slovakia's exports of footwear with uppers of textile materials in value terms. Austria accounted for 25.0% of exports, Germany for 22.9%, and Czechia for 14.8%, together representing 62.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports footwear with textile uppers to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K 2u

Slovakia imported 17,121 thousand pairs of footwear with uppers of textile materials in 2020, down by 14.2% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 19,959 thousand pairs. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and Europe, not elsewhere specified, formed the main cluster of markets for Slovakia's imports of footwear with uppers of textile materials in kind. China accounted for 69.9% of imports, Vietnam for 7.1%, and Europe, not elsewhere specified, for 3.7%, with a combined share of 80.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, the volume of footwear with uppers of textile materials imported by Slovakia declined. In 2020, Slovakia imported 159.4 million US dollars worth of such footwear, indicating a modest contraction of 3.7% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 165.5 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—China, Vietnam, and Europe, not elsewhere specified—together absorbed 81.0% of total imports in value terms of footwear with uppers of textile materials to Slovakia.

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

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