India’s leather, leather products, and footwear industry recorded total exports worth $4.69 billion in FY2023-24, equivalent to INR 35,782.58 crores at an exchange rate of ₹76.30 per USD, as per data from the Council for Leather Exports.
While the sector continues to hold a strong global presence, the numbers reveal a mixed performance across various segments. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how each category performed:
Leather Footwear Leads the Market
- Quantity Exported: 91.48 million pairs
- Total Value: $1.7 billion
- Market Share: 36.24%
- Average Price Per Pair: $18.58
Leather footwear remains the largest contributor to India’s leather export industry, holding over one-third of the total export share.
Leather Goods Maintain Strong Position
- Quantity Exported: 131.38 million pieces
- Total Value: $1.057 billion
- Market Share: 22.54%
- Average Price Per Piece: $8.05
The leather goods sector continues to perform steadily, contributing over 22% to total exports. Bags, wallets, and accessories from India are well-regarded in global markets, ensuring sustained demand.
Finished Leather Faces Decline
- Quantity Exported: 435.14 million square feet
- Total Value: $459 million
- Market Share: 9.78%
- Average Price Per Sq. Ft.: $1.05
Once a billion-dollar segment, finished leather exports have struggled in recent years, now barely touching half a billion dollars.
Non-Leather Footwear Falls Short of Expectations
- Quantity Exported: 69.29 million pairs
- Total Value: $455 million
- Market Share: 9.7%
- Average Price Per Pair: $6.57
Given the significant investments in non-leather footwear over the past two years, expectations were high for this category to cross the $1 billion mark.
Leather Garments See Moderate Growth
- Quantity Exported: 7.25 million pieces
- Total Value: $364 million
- Market Share: 7.77%
- Average Price Per Piece: $50.21
Leather garments continue to contribute a respectable share to the overall export figures, reflecting steady global demand for Indian-made leather apparel.
Footwear Components Remain Essential
- Quantity Exported: 33.98 million pairs
- Total Value: $281 million
- Market Share: 5.99%
- Average Price Per Pair: $8.27
Leather Gloves Hold Niche Market
- Quantity Exported: 154.07 million pairs
- Total Value: $203 million
- Market Share: 4.33%
- Average Price Per Pair: $1.32
The gloves sector remains a stable yet small part of the industry, catering primarily to safety and fashion markets worldwide.
Harness & Saddlery Continues Steady Exports
- Quantity Exported: 24.80 million pieces
- Total Value: $171 million
- Market Share: 3.64%
- Average Price Per Piece: $6.90
India’s expertise in saddlery and harness products keeps this segment relevant, though its share remains limited compared to other leather goods categories.
