Guanajuato Footwear Imports Drop 35% Boosting Local Industry

Imports of footwear to Mexico fell 23% from January to May 2026, with the state of Guanajuato experiencing a sharper 35% decline. The reduction, amounting to roughly $722 million in national imports, was driven by lower shipments from China (‑60%), Vietnam (‑10%) and Indonesia (‑7%) after a national trade‑policy shift.

Guanajuato Governor Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo credited the policy for creating a more competitive environment for the state’s leather‑and‑footwear sector. The local Fashion Cluster, which accounts for 7.5% of the state’s GDP, now includes about 6,225 companies and provides employment for more than 108,000 workers, reinforcing the industry’s role as a major economic engine in the region.