Footwear imports into Czechia have seen a considerable increase in 2024, with companies bringing in 89.6 million pairs compared to 81.5 million pairs the previous year. Despite this growth, the production value of local manufacturing decreased from 36.8 billion CZK to 33.7 billion CZK. The data was released by the Czech Footwear and Leather Association (ČOKA) during trade fairs in Brno, indicating a troubling trend for local manufacturers, further compounded by the rising footwear exports from Czechia itself.

After experiencing a decline in imports from 2019 to 2022, there was a sharp increase in 2022, rising from 72.8 million pairs to 87.6 million. Although there was a subsequent drop to 81.5 million pairs in the following year, the upward trend resumed in 2024. The primary sources of imported footwear continue to be China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. This growing reliance on imports raises concerns regarding the local manufacturing industry, which is struggling to compete with cheaper foreign products.

Moreover, European shoemakers have consistently criticized the quality of imported footwear, which has led to calls for enhanced market surveillance and customs checks by the EU, especially for goods sold through online platforms. These appeals aim to strengthen regulatory oversight to ensure that imported products meet quality standards, addressing both consumer safety and fair competition for local manufacturers, further intensifying the debate on the sustainability of the EU's trade practices in the textile and footwear sectors.