France leather exports reached €60.6 million during the first quarter Q1 of 2026, between January – March 2026 up 11% from €54.5 million in the same period last year, according to Alliance France Cuir.
The French leather industry also reported imports of €133.4 million between January – March 2026, a 2% increase from €131.3 million in Q1 2025.
Export by Product Type
| Category | Q1 2025 | Q1 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanned Leather | €6.5 Million | €8.5 Million | +31% |
| Finished Leather | €48.0 Million | €52.1 Million | +9% |
| Total Exports | €54.5 Million | €60.6 Million | +11% |
France’s leather exports increased from €54.5 million in Q1 2025 to €60.6 million in Q1 2026, reflecting an overall growth of 11%.
Exports of tanned leather recorded the strongest growth among the product categories, rising 31% from €6.5 million in Q1 2025 to €8.5 million in Q1 2026.
Finished leather exports remained the largest export segment. Exports increased 9% from €48.0 million to €52.1 million during the same period.
Finished Leather Exports by Type
| Category | Q1 2025 | Q1 2026 | % Change |
| Bovines | €19.8 Million | €22.7 Million | +15% |
| Calves | €13.1 Million | €14.6 Million | +11% |
| Ovines | €10.7 Million | €8.7 Million | -19% |
| Reptiles | €3.1 Million | €3.4 Million | +10% |
| Total Finished Leather Exports | €48.0 Million | €52.1 Million | +9% |
Bovine leather remained the largest finished leather export category. Exports increased 15% from €19.8 million in Q1 2025 to €22.7 million in Q1 2026.
Calf leather exports rose 11% from €13.1 million to €14.6 million.
Ovine leather was the only export category to record a decline. Exports fell 19% from €10.7 million to €8.7 million.
Reptile leather exports increased 10% from €3.1 million in Q1 2025 to €3.4 million in Q1 2026.
Now, let’s look at the import side of the French leather industry in Q1 2026.
Import by Product Type
| Category | Q1 2025 | Q1 2026 | % Change |
| Tanned Leather | €12.5 Million | €14.7 Million | +18% |
| Finished Leather | €118.8 Million | €118.7 Million | 0% |
| Total Imports | €131.3 Million | €133.4 Million | +2% |
France’s leather imports increased from €131.3 million in Q1 2025 to €133.4 million in Q1 2026, representing a 2% increase.
Imports of tanned leather rose 18% from €12.5 million to €14.7 million.
Finished leather imports remained the largest import segment. Imports were largely unchanged at €118.7 million compared to €118.8 million a year earlier.
Finished Leather Imports by Type
| Category | Q1 2025 | Q1 2026 | % Change |
| Bovines | €43.2 Million | €41.3 Million | -4% |
| Calves | €36.1 Million | €37.7 Million | +4% |
| Ovines | €11.7 Million | €10.2 Million | -13% |
| Reptiles | €18.4 Million | €21.3 Million | +16% |
| Total Finished Leather Imports | €118.8 Million | €118.7 Million | 0% |
Bovine leather remained the largest finished leather import category despite a 4% decline from €43.2 million to €41.3 million.
Calf leather imports increased 4% from €36.1 million in Q1 2025 to €37.7 million in Q1 2026.
Ovine leather imports declined 13% from €11.7 million to €10.2 million.
Reptile leather imports recorded the strongest growth among the categories, increasing 16% from €18.4 million in Q1 2025 to €21.3 million in Q1 2026.
The French leather industry reported total exports worth €4.55 Billion in the first quarter of 2026 between January and March 2026, down 3.5% from €4.72 Billion recorded during the same period in 2025, according to Alliance France Cuir.
The figures cover the five major segments of the French leather industry, including Raw Hides and Skins, Leather, Footwear, Leather Goods and Gloves.
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