The Council of Leather Exports (CLE) has set an ambitious goal to increase India’s leather sector exports to USD 7 billion by 2025-26. This goal is part of a broader plan to position India among the top five global leather exporters.
At the inauguration of the Delhi International Leather Expo (DILEX), CLE Chairman R K Jalan highlighted the industry’s resilience despite global uncertainties. He noted that the leather industry has been consistently demonstrating strong growth even amidst challenging times.
The event, which features 225 Indian exhibitors, provides a platform for showcasing India’s latest leather collections. Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, shared optimistic projections for India’s leather and footwear industry. He emphasized that the sector’s growth has been driven by expanding exports and adapting to global shifts.
“India is now strategically positioned to capitalize on emerging global trends,” Anand said. “Geopolitical changes, tariff adjustments, and the increasing demand for alternatives to China have created new market opportunities for India.”
“The 6th Edition of DILEX 2025 opens doors for the global leather and footwear sector amidst an evolving geopolitical landscape. As the world recovers from the pandemic and contends with disruptions like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump tariff era and China’s aggressive trade policies, India’s leather industry has shown resilience, achieving consecutive months of growth. With a positive trajectory, we aim to reach the Department of Commerce’s $7 billion export target and position India among the top 5 global exporters by FY 2025-26”
RK Jalan, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports
