Eastern Europe: Athletic Footwear Market 2025

Athletic Footwear Market Size in Eastern Europe

For the fifth year in a row, the East European athletic footwear market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 3.2% to $X in 2022. The total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +22.5% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Athletic Footwear Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, athletic footwear production expanded to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 22%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Athletic Footwear Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of athletic footwear decreased by -2.9% to X pairs, falling for the second consecutive year after nine years of growth. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 68%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X pairs in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, athletic footwear exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 54%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Poland represented the largest exporter of athletic footwear in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports reaching X pairs, which was approx. 47% of total exports in 2022. Slovakia (X pairs) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the Czech Republic (X pairs), Romania (X pairs) and Hungary (X pairs). All these countries together took near 41% share of total exports. The following exporters - Russia (X pairs) and Bulgaria (X pairs) - each amounted to a 7.7% share of total exports.

Poland was also the fastest-growing in terms of the athletic footwear exports, with a CAGR of +39.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bulgaria (+29.5%), the Czech Republic (+16.8%), Russia (+14.9%), Slovakia (+14.7%), Hungary (+14.4%) and Romania (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Poland (+37 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania saw its share reduced by -1.9%, -2.5%, -3.1%, -7.7% and -21.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest athletic footwear supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Slovakia, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Poland amounted to +42.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (+14.6% per year) and Slovakia (+15.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per pair in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 18% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per pair), while Russia ($X per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+8.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Athletic Footwear Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, supplies from abroad of athletic footwear was finally on the rise to reach X pairs for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X pairs in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, athletic footwear imports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Poland (X pairs) was the key importer of athletic footwear, making up 39% of total imports. The Czech Republic (X pairs) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Romania (13%), Slovakia (11%) and Hungary (9.3%). The following importers - Bulgaria (X pairs) and Russia (X pairs) - each recorded an 8% share of total imports.

Poland was also the fastest-growing in terms of the athletic footwear imports, with a CAGR of +22.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Hungary (+18.1%), the Czech Republic (+13.3%), Slovakia (+12.0%), Bulgaria (+11.9%), Russia (+11.6%) and Romania (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Poland and Hungary increased by +22 and +3.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported athletic footwear in Eastern Europe, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Romania, with a 13% share.

In Poland, athletic footwear imports increased at an average annual rate of +28.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Czech Republic (+18.0% per year) and Romania (+18.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per pair, which is down by -1.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, athletic footwear import price increased by +104.8% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 17%. The level of import peaked at $X per pair in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per pair), while Hungary ($X per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+15.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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