Santander is Colombia's second footwear and leather cluster, a national and international benchmark

Santander, often hailed as Colombia's footwear capital, stands as the nation's second most significant cluster for footwear and leather goods, trailing only Bogotá and Cundinamarca in terms of registered companies. The region currently boasts 1,800 companies within this sector, providing employment for approximately 36,000 individuals.

This cluster is recognized for its substantial formal production, amounting to 10.6 million pairs of shoes annually. Its influence is particularly strong in Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Piedecuesta, and parts of Girón. William Armando Parrado, executive president of the Colombian Association of Footwear, Leather, and Manufacturing Industries (Acicam), noted that Santander's designs make it a national benchmark.

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It is a very relevant cluster, with a formal production of 10.6 million pairs. It is well identified in Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Piedecuesta and part of Girón. Because of its design, it is seen as a national benchmark.

Despite facing economic headwinds common across the industry, businesses in Bucaramanga highlight their resilience and entrepreneurial drive. Parrado anticipates an improvement in the sector during the second half of the year. A significant upcoming event is a fair in Bogotá from August 3rd to 5th, which is expected to boost the sector's prospects.

Nationally, Bogotá leads with 1,716 companies and an estimated production of 14.3 million pairs. Norte de Santander ranks third with 1,500 companies, followed by Valle del Cauca with 432, and Antioquia with around 330, primarily focused on leather production. Data from DANE indicates a 1.8% growth in footwear production between April 2025 and April 2026, attributed to a recovery from a significant drop in the previous year's first quarter. Exports from January to May 2026 reached $14.4 million, comprising 922,000 pairs, with the United States, Ecuador, and Costa Rica as primary destinations.

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In Santander there is an interesting dynamic for business creation. Although challenges persist, an improvement is expected in the second half of the year.