Brazil’s leather industry exported $1.13 billion worth of leather and hides in 2025, down 9.8% from 2024, even as shipment volumes rose 7.1% to 640,075 tons. According to SECEX data analysed by CICB shows that falling global prices impacted overall earnings despite higher export activity.
Finished leather remained the largest segment, contributing $530.6 million with a 47.5% share, up from 45.6% last year. Wet blue followed with $297.9 million, holding a 26.7% share.
Salted hides recorded the strongest growth in value, rising 123.7% to $53.7 million, while crust leather saw the sharpest decline, dropping 26.3% to $104.7 million and split wet blue stood at $130.8 million.
China remained the top export destination, accounting for $344.9 million or 30.5% of total exports. Followed by the United States at the 2nd destination, imported $142.7 million worth of leather and hides, while Italy followed with $122.6 million. Nigeria also featured among the top markets, ranking sixth with $37.1 million mainly driven by salted hide shipments.
The data shows a clear shift toward higher finished leather share, but overall export earnings declined due to weaker international pricing.
