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How Footwear Export from India is Growing in 2025

How Footwear Export from India is Growing in 2025

As a prominent exporter and the world’s second-largest footwear maker, India’s footwear industry is a competitive and developing business. The footwear export from India continues to grow steadily, driven by increased internal demand, helpful government policies, and increasing global preferences for Indian footwear, all contributing to the sector’s quick growth.

These are India’s top footwear makers in 2024-25.

A number of Indian companies are at the center of the country’s success in exporting shoes, showing off their high-quality goods and new designs internationally. These key parties are-

Ajanta Shoes Pvt Ltd: This well-known exporter ships to more than 10 countries and wants to become a top multinational name.

Condor Footwear (India) Limited: It has two state-of-the-art factories that can make an impressive 80,000 pairs of shoes daily using the newest Italian equipment.

Bata India: It is a well-known company with a strong impact that sells a wide range of shoes in casual, dressy, and athletic styles.

Relaxo Footwears: This is India’s biggest shoemaker by volume and second-biggest by income. It’s known for making stylish and comfortable shoes that are trending.

Liberty Shoes: According to Teji Mandai, Liberty Shoes is a prominent manufacturer specializing in high-quality leather shoes and boots. They have a lot of different styles, from stylish to casual.

Woodland Worldwide: It is known for making tough, long-lasting shoes for outdoor and everyday use that are popular with adventurers.

Khukriwala Handicrafts, A V Internationals, Leather Choice, Paragon, Lakhani, Redtape, and VKC are other major manufacturers impacting the Indian shoe market.

Recent information and trends on footwear export from India

The Council for Leather Exports reported a 25% increase in India’s 2024-25 leather and non-leather footwear exports to $5.7 billion.

Exports are expected to keep going up, and in the 2025–26 fiscal year, they will be worth more than $6.5 billion. According to the CLE, India has already topped its export goal for 2024-25 by $1 billion. This was a goal set by the Department of Commerce.

Indian shoes are in high demand in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, which are important trading bases. Even though tariffs went up by 10%, exporters have kept up business relationships by offering discounts. According to DD News, no order cancellations have been recorded. Order books look good for the next few months, which makes the business optimistic.

Footwear Export from India: Key Statistics (2024–2030)

YearExport Value (USD Billion)CAGR Growth (%)Target Export Value by 2030
2024–255.7
2025–266.5 (projected)
2030 (Target)13.712.39$39B total market

Reasons supporting growth

India’s footwear exports have been rising exponentially for a number of reasons, such as

High-Quality Craftsmanship

Indian shoes are known for being handcrafted and sustainable, which attracts customers from everywhere who want both style and ethical production.

Diverse Product Range

The industry meets a wide range of needs by producing leather and non-leather shoes, as well as shoes with traditional patterns like Khadi and embroidered designs that are trendy.

Support from the government

Initiatives like the Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme (IFLDP) and export promotion schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 offer financial incentives, improve infrastructure, and help people in the field develop new abilities.

Benefits of Cost

India does better in the international market because its labor and material prices are low compared to other countries.

Online marketing

As online platforms and marketplaces grow, they make it easier for businesses, like Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to reach more customers and make foreign sales easier.

Concentrate on lasting Sustainability.

Indian companies are using more eco-friendly and properly sourced materials and methods because a greater majority want to buy items that are good for the environment.

Design Adaptability

Exporters work with designers to make designs that follow the latest trends and meet the needs of international markets.

Also Read This: Tobacco Export from India: Growth, Demand & Farmer Impact

Opportunities and problems

Even though things look good, the Indian shoe business has some problems to solve. A big part of it is still in the unorganized sector, which makes it hard to control the product and work conditions. 

There is still competition from foreign brands and problems with managing the supply chain. The industry also needs to deal with an increase in cheap, low-quality goods, mainly from China, which may damage American manufacturers.

However, the business is working hard to solve these problems. The government is promoting modernization and growth, and Invest India says that the strong local economy and easy access to raw materials are significant advantages. 

Chinese investors are becoming increasingly interested in working with Indian makers and setting up companies in India. This will help the sector grow even more.

What are the upcoming prospects?

From now until 2030, the Indian shoes market should be worth $90 billion. India’s shoe exports are expected to surpass $6.5 billion this fiscal year. By 2030, the business wants to make $39 billion, with $13.7 billion in exports. 

The market is projected to keep growing until 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.39%, which would double its value to almost $46 billion. Another important trend is the move toward shoes made of materials other than leather, which is expected to take up an important portion of the market by 2030.

India’s shoe companies should focus on the following to take advantage of these opportunities-

  • Creating international footwear brands from India that can compete.
  • Dealing with issues caused by limited capacity to meet customer demand.
  • Investing in technology and innovation means using innovative tools and techniques that are good for nature.
  • To improve international exposure, using digital platforms and going to international trade fairs are two ways to strengthen marketing and branding.
  • Meeting foreign rules and quality standards is part of guaranteeing compliance and meeting quality standards.

When India’s footwear business focuses on these key areas, it can continue to develop into an important supplier in the international footwear market.

Wrapping It Up

Its ability to combine quality, cost, and new ideas has helped India develop into an international leader in shoe exports. India’s shoe exports are growing because of more people wanting to buy them, sustainable production methods, and help from the government. Indian brands are now able to compete on an international level due to smart investments in design and technology. Opportunities to grow market share and gain foreign recognition are very positive in the coming years.

FAQs

Which countries import Indian footwear the most?

Major markets include the USA, UK, Germany, UAE, and France, accounting for many of India’s footwear exports annually.

Does the Indian government promote footwear exports? 

Yes, initiatives like IFLDP and schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 actively promote footwear export from India by offering incentives and upgrading infrastructure.

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