According to official data released by the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) China’s leather industry is facing a challenging first half of 2025 as weak domestic and international demand continues to weigh on business.

From January to June this year, revenue of key enterprises in the national leather sector stood at around RMB 410 billion, down 0.8% compared with the same period last year. Exports dropped 7.8% to $43.23 billion while imports fell 13.6% to $7.53 billion.

Key tanning companies recorded sales of RMB 27 billion, marking a 6.5% year-on-year decline. Leather production fell sharply to 140 million square meters, down 12.4%.

Imports of raw hides totaled 707,000 tons valued at $580 million, a fall of 6.2% in volume and 16.4% in value.

Semi-finished leather imports rose 1.7% in volume to 313,000 tons but their value slipped 10.8% to $470 million.

Finished leather imports dropped to 18,000 tons worth $280 million, down 16.5% in volume and 19.2% in value.