# Guanajuato leather‑footwear industry growth > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/guanajuato-leatherfootwear-industry-growth > Updated: 2026-07-27T19:54:24.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. In July 2026 the state of Guanajuato promoted the 95th edition of the SAPICA trade fair, slated for August 11‑13. Organizers projected participation by more than 380 exhibitors and 2,200 buyers from 17 countries, underscoring the sector’s contribution of 7.5 % to the state’s GDP and its employment of over 108,000 workers. The fair was presented as a platform for technology, design, sustainability and intellectual‑property support, with government programmes aimed at expanding market access for local firms. A week later, data showed a sharp 35 % decline in footwear imports to Guanajuato from January‑May 2026, driven by reduced shipments from China, Vietnam and Indonesia after a national trade‑policy shift. State officials linked the import drop to a more competitive environment for the local leather‑and‑footwear cluster, reinforcing the sector’s role as a major economic engine. Together, the fair’s launch and the import reduction illustrate a coordinated effort to boost Guanajuato’s leather‑footwear industry through market promotion and protective trade measures. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-27: Guanajuato Footwear Imports Drop 35% Boosting Local Industry Footwear imports to Guanajuato fell 35% in early 2026, driven by lower shipments from China, Vietnam and Indonesia, boosting the state’s leather‑footwear industry and employment under Governor Libia García Ledo 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guanajuato-footwear-imports-drop-35-boosting-local-industry ### 2026-07-20: Guanajuato's SAPICA 95 Trade Fair Highlights Leather‑Footwear Industry SAPICA 95, Mexico’s premier leather‑footwear fair, runs Aug 11‑13 2026 in León with 380+ exhibitors, 2,200 buyers from 17 countries, supporting 108 k jobs and 7.5 % of Guanajuato’s GDP. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guanajuatos-sapica-95-trade-fair-highlights-leatherfootwear-industry --- Cite as: Guanajuato leather‑footwear industry growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/guanajuato-leatherfootwear-industry-growth