The steps taken by footwear companies in the production hubs of Fortaleza and Sobral, in the Brazilian state of Ceará, have transformed the configuration of these regions. Once more connected to rural life, the arrival of factories brought development, population growth, and structural change, placing the industry at the heart of the economic matrix. Watch the first episode of the new Brazilian Footwear series and see how footwear manufacturing has contributed to regional development.

The example of these Ceará production plants is just one demonstration of the industry’s relevance in Brazil. Present in more than 600 municipalities, the Brazilian footwear industry is the fourth largest in the world. Made up of over 5,300 companies, it produces more than 929.5 million pairs annually, of which around 98 million are exported to approximately 160 countries. A major generator of jobs, the industry directly employs more than 280,000 people, who manufacture footwear across all segments: women’s, men’s, children’s, sports, and safety shoes.