Which Country Exports the Most Leather in the World?

In 2016, the amount of leather exported worldwide totaled 36K tonnes, lowering by -11.2% against the previous year figure. Overall, leather exports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014, when export increased by 11% against the previous year level. Over the period under review, global leather exports reached its maximum volume of 53K tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

In value terms, leather exports stood at $833M in 2016. Overall, leather exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. In that year, global leather exports attained its maximum level of $922M. From 2015 to 2016, growth of global leather exports stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Leather Exporting Countries in the World

1. Italy (451.5 million USD)

2. South Korea (86.4 million USD)

3. Spain (17.3 million USD)

4. Viet Nam (14.1 million USD)

5. China, Hong Kong SAR (11.7 million USD)

6. China (9.0 million USD)

7. Costa Rica (3.0 million USD)

8. Jordan (2.5 million USD)

Leather Exports By Country

In 2016, Italy (19K tonnes) represented the largest exporter for leather, generating 51% of total exports. South Korea (5.4K tonnes) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Costa Rica (2.5K tonnes). All these countries together occupied near 22% share of total exports. The following exporters - Jordan (1.4K tonnes), Viet Nam (1.2K tonnes), China (882 tonnes), Spain (808 tonnes), and China, Hong Kong SAR (562 tonnes) together made up 13% of total exports.

Exports from Italy decreased at an average annual rate of -2.5% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, Jordan (+53.9%), Viet Nam (+21.4%), and Costa Rica (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Jordan emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +53.9% from 2007-2016. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Korea (-1.5%), China (-9.5%), and China, Hong Kong SAR (-16.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2016, the share of Italy, China, Hong Kong SAR, China, and South Korea increased by 13%, 6%, 4%, and 2% percentage points, while Costa Rica (-1.6%), Viet Nam (-2.6%), and Jordan (-3.8%) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($452M) remains the largest leather supplier in the world, making up 54% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by South Korea ($86M), with the share of 10% of global exports. It was followed by Spain, with the share of 2%.

In Italy, leather exports expanded at an average annual rate of +0.0% over the period from 2007-2016. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+1.7% per year) and Spain (+0.5% per year).

Leather Export Prices By Country

In 2016, the average export price for leather amounted to $23 per kg, moving up by 7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2016 it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%.The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, an increase of 15% against the previous year level. Over the period under review, average leather export price attained its maximum level of $24 per kg in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Export prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest export prices was Italy ($24 per kg), while Costa Rica ($1,168 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of leather export prices was attained by China, Hong Kong SAR (+6.3% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global leather market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on

• leather market share
• leather prices
• leather industry
• leather sales
• leather import
• leather export
• leather market forecast
• leather price forecast
• key leather producers

All data provided in this article covers the following product: HS Code 4114 - Chamois (including combination chamois) leather; patent leather and patent laminated leather; metallised leather.

Source: World: Leather - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025