The French leather industry recorded exports of €9.22 billion in the first half of 2026 declining 2% compared with the same period in 2025. Imports also fell 5% to €6.51 billion but individual segments recorded significantly different results according to data from the Economic Observatory of Alliance France Cuir.
The figures cover January to June 2026 and include raw hides and skins, leather, footwear, leather goods, gloves and leather garments sector.
French exports of raw hides and skins fell 14% to €90.9 million in the first half of 2026 compared with €105.1 million in the same period last year. Imports in this segment declined 26% to €56.6 million from €76.1 million.
Exports from French tanning and leather sector increased 11% to €126.2 million, compared with €113.8 million a year earlier. Imports into the sector also increased growing 7% to €293.1 million from €274.5 million.
French footwear exports remained broadly stable at €2.60 billion in the first half of 2026 compared with approximately €2.60 billion a year earlier but imports into this segment declined 7% to €3.80 billion from €4.08 billion.
French leather goods exports declined 2% to €6.21 billion compared with €6.37 billion in the first half of 2025. Imports also fell 2% to €2.18 billion from €2.21 billion in this segment.
Now when we look at the French leather glove sector, exports increased 2% to €14.97 million in the first half of 2026 compared with €14.70 million a year earlier. Imports declined 3% to €32.28 million from €33.25 million.
French leather garments exports increased 12% to €137.8 million compared with €123.3 million in the first half of 2025. Imports grew 19% to €107.8 million from €90.7 million.
China remained the largest export market among the 5 destinations listed in the report with French leather industry exports increasing 1% to €1.35 billion in the first half of 2026.
Exports to the United States declined 10% to €1.09 billion while shipments to Italy remained broadly stable at €937.9 million.
Hong Kong recorded the strongest growth among these markets with French exports increasing 20% to €773.6 million. In contrast, exports to Japan declined 7% to €726.4 million.
On the import side, Italy remained the largest source among the countries listed in the report, with imports increasing 4% to €1.78 billion. Imports from China declined 9% to €1.32 billion, while those from Vietnam remained broadly stable at approximately €1.02 billion.
Overall, the first half of 2026 presented a mixed picture for the French leather industry. The tanning and leather sector recorded growth in exports while raw hide and skin exports declined sharply. Footwear exports remained stable, leather goods exports fell and leather garments exports increased.
Leathernews.org will examine each sector in detail in the following articles.
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