Which Country Exports the Most Leather in the World?

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Leather - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

In 2016, approx. 58K tonnes of leather were imported worldwide- stabilizing at the previous year level. In general, leather imports continue to indicate a measured shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010, when import increased by 10% against the previous year level. Over the period under review, global leather imports attained its maximum volume of 70K tonnes in 2007- however, from 2008 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, leather imports amounted to $770M in 2016. In general, leather imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global leather imports attained its maximum level of $918M in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Leather Importing Countries in the World

1. Mexico (139.7 million USD)

2. China (72.5 million USD)

3. Spain (70.5 million USD)

4. China, Hong Kong SAR (56.5 million USD)

5. Viet Nam (52.2 million USD)

6. Romania (46.0 million USD)

7. Portugal (37.6 million USD)

8. South Korea (7.5 million USD)

9. India (3.9 million USD)

10. Philippines (3.4 million USD)

11. Costa Rica (0.8 million USD)

12. Jordan (0.1 million USD)

Leather Imports By Country

In 2016, South Korea (7.1K tonnes), followed by India (3.8K tonnes), Mexico (3.7K tonnes), China (3.3K tonnes), Spain (3.2K tonnes), Costa Rica (3.2K tonnes), and Viet Nam (2.8K tonnes) represented the major importers of leather, together generating 47% of total imports. The following importers - China, Hong Kong SAR (2.6K tonnes), Romania (2.4K tonnes), Portugal (1.8K tonnes), the Philippines (1.7K tonnes), and Jordan (1.7K tonnes) together made up 18% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of leather imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by the Philippines (+10.1% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($140M), China ($73M) and Spain ($71M) appeared as the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2016, with a combined 37% share of global imports. These countries were followed by China, Hong Kong SAR, Viet Nam, Romania, Portugal, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Costa Rica and Jordan, which together accounted for a further 27%.

The Philippines (+51.8% per year) had the highest rates of growth with regard to the leather imports, among the main importing countries, over the last 9 year period, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Leather Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for leather amounted to $13 per kg, shrinking by -6.9% against the previous year. Over the last nine years it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%.The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2011, when it surged by 14% y-o-y. Global leather import peaked of $15 per kg in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest import prices was Mexico ($38 per kg), while Jordan ($35 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of leather import prices was attained by Costa Rica (+42.7% 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