Raw hides and skins exports from France reached €44.4 million in the first quarter of 2026, between January and March 2026. This was down 16% compared to €53.1 million recorded during the same period in 2025, according to Alliance France Cuir.
On the import side, France imported €26.8 million worth of raw hides and skins during Q1 2026, down 30% from €38.5 million in Q1 2025.
Now, let’s break down the exports of Raw Hides and Skins
|
Category |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
% Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bovines |
€34.8 Million |
€30.2 Million |
-13% |
|
Calves |
€10.9 Million |
€7.5 Million |
-31% |
|
Ovines |
€3.8 Million |
€2.3 Million |
-39% |
|
Reptiles |
€3.0 Million |
€3.4 Million |
+13% |
|
Total |
€53.1 Million |
€44.4 Million |
-16% |
Bovine hides remained the largest export category in the raw hides and skins segment. Exports of bovine hides declined from €34.8 million in Q1 2025 to €30.2 million in Q1 2026, a drop of 13%.
Calf skins recorded a sharper decline, falling 31% from €10.9 million in Q1 2025 to €7.5 million during the same time period in 2026.
Ovine skins exports also decreased significantly. The category dropped from €3.8 million in Q1 2025 to €2.3 million in Q1 2026, representing a 39% decline.
Reptile skins were the only category to record growth. Exports increased 13% from €3.0 million in the first quarter of 2025 to €3.4 million in the same period of 2026.
Now, let’s look at the import side of Raw Hides and Skins in Q1 2026 by the French Leather Industry
|
Category |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
% Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bovines |
€5.5 Million |
€4.9 Million |
-11% |
|
Calves |
€1.2 Million |
€300,000 |
-75% |
|
Ovines |
€4.6 Million |
€2.9 Million |
-37% |
|
Reptiles |
€27.2 Million |
€18.5 Million |
-32% |
|
Total |
€38.5 Million |
€26.8 Million |
-30% |
On the import side, France imported €26.8 million worth of raw hides and skins during Q1 2026, down 30% from €38.5 million in Q1 2025.
Bovine hide imports fell 11% from €5.5 million in Q1 2025 to €4.9 million in Q1 2026.
Calf skin imports saw the steepest decline among all categories, dropping 75% from €1.2 million to €300,000 in Q1 2026
Ovine skin imports decreased 37% from €4.6 million to €2.9 million in Q1 2026.
Reptile skin imports, the largest import category, declined 32% from €27.2 million in Q1 2025 to €18.5 million in Q1 2026.
The French leather industry reported total exports worth €4.55 Billion in the first quarter of 2026 between January and March 2026, down 3.5% from €4.72 Billion recorded during the same period in 2025, according to Alliance France Cuir.
The figures cover the five major segments of the French leather industry, including Raw Hides and Skins, Leather, Footwear, Leather Goods and Gloves.
ALSO READ: French Leather Industry Exports Fall 3.5% to €4.55 Billion in Q1 of 2026
In upcoming articles, we will take a deeper look at each segment and break down the performance of Leather, Footwear, Leather Goods and Gloves individually.
