China’s leather industry imports increased 4.9% YoY to $7.9 billion in the first half of 2026 between January and June, according to data from APLF.

Imports rose across raw hides and skins, leather garments, and travel goods and luggage, while semi-finished and finished leather imports declined.

China’s total footwear imports declined 2.3% in value to $2.58 billion during the period and a 17.3% decline in volume to 70 million pairs.

Imports of leather footwear fell 2.0% to $1.10 billion while volumes declined 14.7% to 20 million pairs.

Leather garment imports increased 31.3% YoY to $64.76 million in the first half of 2026.

Imports of travel goods and luggage grew 13.6% to $2.88 billion

Raw hides and skins imports increased 2.9% in value to $600 million with import volume growing 7.0% to 749,000 tonnes.

In contrast semi-finished leather imports declined 14.8% to $400 million, while volumes fell 5.9% to 295,000 tonnes and finished leather imports fell 5.0% to $270 million, with volumes declining 2.2% to 18,000 tonnes.

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