China’s leather industry recorded an export value of $40.91 billion in the first half of 2026 from January to June 2026, a 5.4% YoY decline according to the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA).
Imports increased 4.9% to $7.9 billion during the same period.
The industry faced pressure from weak global demand, raw material price volatility and a complex external environment. Key leather industry enterprises recorded sales revenue of nearly RMB 330 billion down 5.0% YoY.
The tanning industry saw raw hide and skin imports rise 7% in volume to 749,000 tonnes while semi-finished and finished leather imports declined in both volume and value.
Footwear remained the largest segment, with exports reaching 4.29 billion pairs worth $19.83 billion, down 4.6% in volume and 8.6% in value.
Leather shoe exports fell 3.3% to 240 million pairs while export value declined 8.7% to $3.28 billion.
Leather garment exports were a bright spot, rising 41.4% to $68.68 million.
Bags and cases exports meanwhile declined 3.1% to $15.48 billion while imports increased 13.6% to $2.88 billion.
Further details on China’s tanning, footwear, leather garments and bags and cases sectors will be covered separately.
