Brazil’s leather industry reported exports of $89.5 million in May 2026, down 7.3% compared to May 2025, according to data analysed by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB/Brazilian Leather).

Exports also declined 5.1% compared to April 2026, when shipments totaled $94.3 million.

Export volumes reached 13.9 million square meters and 49.1 thousand tons in May 2026. Compared to the same month last year, export area declined 6.3%, while export weight increased 9.8%.

Compared to April 2026, export area fell 13.0% and export weight declined 11.6%, indicating slower shipment activity during the month.

In the first 5 months of 2026, Brazil’s leather exports totaled $450.8 million, down 7.8% compared to the same period last year.

Key Export Markets

China remained the largest destination for Brazilian leather exports between January and May 2026, accounting for 29.3% of the total export revenue of $131.8 million.

Exports to China declined 9.8% in value and 3.6% in area compared to the same period last year. The slowdown reflects continued caution in China’s manufacturing sector, particularly in footwear and upholstery production.

The United States remained the second largest export destination with shipments worth $51.7 million during the January to May period, accounting for 11.5% of total exports.

However, the U.S. recorded the steepest decline among Brazil’s major leather markets, with export value falling 22.9% and export area declining 13.0% compared to last year. The decline reflects weaker demand from furniture and automotive manufacturers.

Italy ranked third with exports totaling $49.2 million during the period, representing a 10.9% share of total exports.

Exports to Italy declined 21.2% in value and 17.6% in area compared to the previous year. Despite the decline, Italy remains a strategically important market due to its concentration of luxury goods manufacturers and tanneries that use Brazilian leather as a raw material.

Vietnam ranked fourth with exports worth $45.9 million during the January to May period, accounting for 10.2% of total exports.

Exports to Vietnam declined 6.4%, a smaller drop compared to other major destinations, reinforcing the country’s importance as a global hub for footwear and leather goods manufacturing.

India ranked in 19th place with about $3.95 million worth of exports.

Leather Type Performance

Finished leather remained the largest export category for Brazil during the January to May period, accounting for approximately 44% of total leather exports

Finished leather exports totaled $194.2 million during the period, declining 18.4% in value and 16.8% in area compared to the same period last year.

The decline reflects weaker demand for higher value-added leather products, particularly from the footwear, upholstery and luxury goods sectors.

Wet blue remained the second largest export category, with exports reaching $123.1 million during the period.

Exports of wet blue leather declined just 2.1% in value, while shipped area remained largely stable with a decline of less than 1%, highlighting relatively resilient demand for semi-processed leather, particularly in Asian markets.

Split wet blue exports totaled $48.6 million during the January to May period, declining 11.5% in value and 2.7% in weight compared to last year.

Crust leather was the only major leather category to record growth during the period.

Exports of crust leather reached $48.2 million, increasing 8.3% in value and 20.0% in area compared to the same period in 2025, indicating stronger demand for intermediate-stage leather products.

And when it comes to raw salted hides it was about $29.9 million between january to may 2026, with 57.4% in value compared to the same period in 2025.

Market Outlook

CICB said Brazil’s leather exports continue to face pressure from weaker demand in traditional markets, particularly China, the United States and Italy, which together account for more than half of total export revenue.

However, the organization highlighted positive growth in several emerging markets, including South Korea, Spain, Indonesia, Cambodia and Turkey, helping offset part of the decline recorded in major destinations.

CICB also noted a shift in Brazil’s export profile, with shipments increasingly concentrated in less processed and semi-finished leather categories.

While finished leather exports declined sharply during the period, products such as salted hides and crust leather recorded strong growth, reflecting changing international demand patterns.

According to the organization, the sector remains under pressure from weaker demand in traditional markets, but growing diversification of export destinations and product categories provides signs of adaptation and potential recovery in the coming months.

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