Ski Footwear Market

The global ski footwear market is expected to see a minor growth in both consumption and value over the next eight years, with China leading in both production and consumption. The United States, India, and Austria are also significant players in the market. While global consumption and production have seen fluctuations over the years, the overall trend is expected to be positive in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for ski footwear worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 66M pairs by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Ski-Boots, Snowboard Boots And Cross-Country Ski Footwear

In 2022, global consumption of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear totaled 62M pairs, stabilizing at 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 1.5%. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 85M pairs in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global ski footwear market revenue reached $3.3B in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $3.8B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of ski footwear consumption was China (19M pairs), comprising approx. 31% of total volume. Moreover, ski footwear consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (5.1M pairs), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Indonesia (2.7M pairs), with a 4.4% share.

In China, ski footwear consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2020. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-0.8% per year) and Indonesia (+0.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($667M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($305M). It was followed by Germany.

In China, the ski footwear market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2020. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+1.2% per year) and Germany (+2.1% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of ski footwear per capita consumption in 2020 were the UK (26 pairs per 1000 persons), France (24 pairs per 1000 persons) and Italy (23 pairs per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +0.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Ski-Boots, Snowboard Boots And Cross-Country Ski Footwear

For the fourth year in a row, the global market recorded decline in production of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear, which decreased by -2.8% to 66M pairs in 2020. Over the period under review, production showed a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 1%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 84M pairs in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2020, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ski footwear production expanded modestly to $3.2B in 2020 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 7.5%. Global production peaked at $3.5B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2020, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of ski footwear production was China (21M pairs), comprising approx. 31% of total volume. Moreover, ski footwear production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (6.8M pairs), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (4M pairs), with a 6% share.

In China, ski footwear production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2020. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+1.2% per year) and the United States (+2.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Ski-Boots, Snowboard Boots And Cross-Country Ski Footwear

After three years of growth, purchases abroad of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear decreased by -18.1% to 12M pairs in 2020. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 14%. Global imports peaked at 15M pairs in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2020, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ski footwear imports dropped remarkably to $801M in 2020. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $1B in 2019, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the four major importers of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear, namely Austria, France, Italy and the United States, represented more than third of total import. India (616K pairs) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Canada (544K pairs) and Germany (536K pairs). All these countries together held approx. 15% share of total imports. Romania (457K pairs), Switzerland (449K pairs), Togo (320K pairs), Norway (237K pairs), Hungary (236K pairs) and Hong Kong SAR (232K pairs) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Togo (with a CAGR of +131.5%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Austria ($138M), the United States ($112M) and France ($97M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2020, together accounting for 43% of global imports. Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Hong Kong SAR, Romania, Hungary, Togo and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Togo, with a CAGR of +113.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear (1.5M pairs) represented roughly 100% of total imports in 2022.

Sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of -3.0% from 2012 to 2022. While the share of sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear (+84 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear ($55M) constitutes the largest type of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear imported worldwide.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear imports totaled -3.9%.

Import Prices By Type

The average ski footwear import price stood at less than $0.1 per pair in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a temperate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 13%. Global import price peaked at $72 per pair in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major imported type of ski footwear, the average price level is determined by prices for sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear amounted to -0.9% per year.

Import Prices By Country

In 2020, the average ski footwear import price amounted to $69 per pair, declining by -2.7% against the previous year. Over the last eight years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 13%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $72 per pair in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2020, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($100 per pair), while India ($1.7 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+8.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Ski-Boots, Snowboard Boots And Cross-Country Ski Footwear

In 2020, shipments abroad of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear increased by 18% to 15M pairs, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2020; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ski footwear exports reduced markedly to $776M in 2020. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at $916M in 2019, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2020, India (5.5M pairs) represented the key exporter of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear, comprising 36% of total exports. Italy (1.9M pairs) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 12% share, followed by Romania (12%), China (11%) and Austria (7.3%). Hungary (612K pairs), France (521K pairs), the Czech Republic (492K pairs) and Hong Kong SAR (255K pairs) followed a long way behind the leaders.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear exports, with a CAGR of +70.8% from 2012 to 2020. At the same time, Austria (+13.1%), the Czech Republic (+3.4%) and Hong Kong SAR (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Romania and Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Hungary (-3.0%), France (-9.1%) and China (-11.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+35 p.p.) and Austria (+4.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2020, the share of Hungary (-1.9 p.p.), Romania (-2.4 p.p.), Italy (-2.9 p.p.), France (-5 p.p.) and China (-23 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($189M), Austria ($128M) and Romania ($121M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2020, with a combined 56% share of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Austria, with a CAGR of +19.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear (1.1M pairs) was the main type of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear in the world, comprising 100% of total export.

Sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear was also the fastest-growing in terms of exports, with a CAGR of -9.5% from 2012 to 2022. Sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear (+82 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear ($39M) also remains the largest type of ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear supplied worldwide.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear exports totaled -8.8%.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average ski footwear export price amounted to less than $0.1 per pair, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a noticeable setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $70 per pair in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major exported type of ski footwear, the average price level is determined by prices for sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for sports footwear; with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather, ski-boots, snowboard boots and cross-country ski footwear amounted to +0.7% per year.

Export Prices By Country

In 2020, the average ski footwear export price amounted to $50 per pair, with a decrease of -28.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 6.6% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $70 per pair in 2019, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2020, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($113 per pair), while India ($1.3 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+5.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform