Leather Apparel Market

The global leather apparel market is projected to grow steadily over the next eight years, with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4%. Despite a slight decrease in consumption in 2022, the market volume is expected to reach 262M units by 2030. In value terms, the market is forecasted to increase to $20.4B by the end of 2030. China leads in both consumption and production of leather apparel, with the United States and India following behind. Exports and imports of leather apparel have seen fluctuations, with China, India, and Italy as major players. The average export price stood at $80 per unit in 2022, with significant variations amongst exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for apparel of leather or of composition leather worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 262M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $20.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

In 2022, consumption of apparel of leather or of composition leather decreased by -1% to 200M units, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 212M units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global leather apparel market size dropped to $14B in 2022, shrinking by -5.9% against 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). Over the period under review, consumption saw a mild downturn. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $20B. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of leather apparel consumption was China (106M units), comprising approx. 53% of total volume. Moreover, leather apparel consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (11M units), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (9.2M units), with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +9.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-3.1% per year) and India (-1.7% per year).

In value terms, China ($5.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($1.5B). It was followed by Italy.

In China, the leather apparel market increased at an average annual rate of +8.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-3.6% per year) and Italy (+0.5% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of leather apparel per capita consumption was registered in Italy (154 units per 1000 persons), followed by China (75 units per 1000 persons), Germany (42 units per 1000 persons) and the United States (31 units per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of leather apparel was estimated at 0.3 units per 1000 persons.

In Italy, leather apparel per capita consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: China (+8.9% per year) and Germany (-1.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

In 2022, approx. 203M units of apparel of leather or of composition leather were produced worldwide; flattening at the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 9.4% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 206M units in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, leather apparel production contracted to $13.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 60% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $24.8B. From 2017 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of leather apparel production was China (116M units), comprising approx. 57% of total volume. Moreover, leather apparel production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (15M units), eightfold. Italy (8.8M units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +7.2%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (-2.8% per year) and Italy (+0.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

In 2022, supplies from abroad of apparel of leather or of composition leather increased by 5.3% to 31M units, rising for the second consecutive year after six years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a noticeable decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 11%. Global imports peaked at 44M units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, leather apparel imports stood at $2.4B in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 11%. Global imports peaked at $4B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (4.7M units) and the United States (3.9M units) represented the major importers of apparel of leather or of composition leatheracross the globe, together comprising 28% of total imports. France (2.3M units) took a 7.4% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Italy (6.7%), the Netherlands (5.9%), Spain (5.9%) and the UK (5.5%). The following importers - Chile (1,029K units), South Korea (864K units), Poland (802K units), Russia (626K units), Kyrgyzstan (616K units) and Japan (592K units) - together made up 15% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kyrgyzstan (with a CAGR of +21.5%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest leather apparel importing markets worldwide were the United States ($354M), Germany ($275M) and France ($202M), together comprising 34% of global imports. Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, South Korea, Japan, Poland, Russia, Chile and Kyrgyzstan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Kyrgyzstan, with a CAGR of +27.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average leather apparel import price amounted to $80 per unit, which is down by -2.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 5.2%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $93 per unit. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($136 per unit), while Chile ($14 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kyrgyzstan (+5.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

In 2022, shipments abroad of apparel of leather or of composition leather increased by 13% to 34M units, rising for the second consecutive year after eight years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 45M units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, leather apparel exports expanded to $2.7B in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $4.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (10M units), distantly followed by India (5.7M units), Pakistan (2.3M units), Germany (1.7M units), Italy (1.7M units), the United States (1.6M units) and the Netherlands (1.6M units) were the largest exporters of apparel of leather or of composition leather, together mixing up 74% of total exports. Turkey (1,426K units), Spain (715K units), Indonesia (654K units), France (590K units) and Poland (579K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest leather apparel supplying countries worldwide were Italy ($555M), India ($361M) and Pakistan ($281M), with a combined 45% share of global exports. France, China, Germany, Turkey, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, Poland and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Among the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +19.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average leather apparel export price stood at $80 per unit in 2022, shrinking by -8.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 15%. The global export price peaked at $107 per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 France ($341 per unit), while China ($17 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+19.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform