India surpassed China in the year 2021, recording a production of 1,103.70 million pairs compared to China's output of 1,051.75 million pairs.India produced 897.82 million pairs of leather footwear, marking a 22.96 per cent increase to reach 1,103.70 million pairs the following year. Production further increased to 1,126.88 million pairs in 2022 and 1,169.14 million pairs in 2023, with projected growth to reach 1,323.29 million pairs at an annual growth rate of 10.18 per cent between 2020 and 2028, according to TexPro.

China's footwear production saw a growth of 4.16 per cent to reach 1,051.75 million pairs in 2021. However, its leather footwear industry experienced severe disruptions in production during 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. Production recovered to 1,106.76 million pairs in 2022 and 1,127.46 million pairs in 2023, with projected annual growth of 3.80 per cent until 2028, when production may reach 1,171.98 million pairs.

Leather footwear production is projected to grow by 6.62 per cent annually in Bangladesh, reaching 206.17 million pairs. Production in Bangladesh was 160.74 million pairs in 2020, 170.48 million pairs in 2021, 173.95 million pairs in 2022, and 180.94 million pairs in 2023, data from TexPro revealed.

Despite smaller production, Brazil is expected to see annual growth of 11.90 per cent, with leather footwear production projected to reach 206.17 million pairs in 2028. Production in Brazil was 130.65 million pairs in 2020, 147.05 million pairs in 2021, 159.12 million pairs in 2022, and 204.88 million pairs in 2023.

Italy, a global fashion hub, is projected to experience annual production growth of 7.64 per cent. The country's production was 80.52 million pairs in 2020, 85.82 million pairs in 2021, 89.09 million pairs in 2022, and 93 million pairs in 2023, with projected production reaching 103.11 million pairs.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)