French leather industry reported lower exports and imports during January to April 2026 compared to the same period last year. Total exports declined 2.8% to €6.13 billion, while imports fell 6.6% to €4.13 billion. Despite lower trade activity, the industry’s trade surplus improved to €1.99 billion, according to Alliance France Cuir.
Overall Trade Performance (January to April)
Exports
| Sector | Jan-Apr 2025 | Jan-Apr 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Hides & Skins | €69.0 Million | €59.7 Million | -13% |
| Leather | €75.1 Million | €83.8 Million | +12% |
| Footwear | €1.76 Billion | €1.73 Billion | -2% |
| Leather Goods | €4.39 Billion | €4.25 Billion | -3% |
| Leather Gloves | €9.67 Million | €9.53 Million | -1% |
| Total Exports | €6.30 Billion | €6.13 Billion | -2.8% |
France exported leather and leather-related products worth €6.13 billion during the first four months of 2026, compared to €6.30 billion in the same period of 2025.
Leather was the only major sector to record export growth, with exports increasing 12%. Leather goods remained France’s largest export category despite a 3% decline, while exports of raw hides and skins, footwear and leather gloves also fell.
Imports
| Sector | Jan-Apr 2025 | Jan-Apr 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Hides & Skins | €45.9 Million | €33.3 Million | -27% |
| Leather | €184.0 Million | €177.9 Million | -3% |
| Footwear | €2.72 Billion | €2.49 Billion | -8% |
| Leather Goods | €1.46 Billion | €1.41 Billion | -3% |
| Leather Gloves | €22.61 M | €22.13 Million | -2% |
| Total Imports | €4.43 Billion | €4.13 Billion | -6.6% |
When it comes to imports, France imported leather and related products worth €4.13 billion during January to April 2026, down from €4.43 billion a year earlier.
Imports declined across all major leather sectors. Raw hides and skins recorded the steepest decline at 27%, while footwear remained the country’s largest import category despite an 8% fall.
The French leather industry’s trade surplus increased from €1.88 billion in January to April 2025 to €1.99 billion during the corresponding period of 2026, an improvement of €117.44 million or 6.3%.
April 2026 Trade Performance
Trade performance improved in April 2026 compared to Q1 2026. Exports declined by just 0.7%, while imports fell 4.2%, helping the industry record a higher monthly trade surplus.
Exports
| Sector | April 2025 | April 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Hides & Skins | €15.9 Million | €15.3 Million | -4% |
| Leather | €20.6 Million | €23.2 Million | +13% |
| Footwear | €440.8 Million | €423.2 Million | -4% |
| Leather Goods | €1.10 Billion | €1.11 Billion | +0.4% |
| Leather Gloves | €1.95 Million | €1.82 Million | -7% |
| Total Exports | €1.58 Billion | €1.57 Billion | -0.7% |
France’s leather industry exported €1.57 billion worth of products in April 2026, slightly lower than €1.58 billion in April 2025.
Leather recorded the strongest export growth during the month, rising 13%. Leather goods exports also edged up slightly, while exports of raw hides and skins, footwear and leather gloves declined.
ALSO READ: French Leather Exports Rise 11% to €60.6 Million While Imports Climb 2% in Q1 2026
Imports
| Sector | April 2025 | April 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Hides & Skins | €7.4 Million | €6.5 Million | -12% |
| Tanning & Leather Dressing | €10.0 Million | €10.9 Million | +9% |
| Footwear | €629.7 Million | €564.6 Million | -10% |
| Leather Goods | €368.2 Million | €389.1 Million | +6% |
| Leather Gloves | €4.73 Million | €4.89 Million | +3% |
| Total Imports | €1.02 Billion | €976.9 Million | -4.2% |
April imports totalled €976.9 million, compared to €1.02 billion in the same month last year.
Imports of leather, leather goods and leather gloves increased during the month. However, lower imports of raw hides and skins and footwear resulted in overall imports declining by 4.2%.
The industry’s trade surplus improved from €562.72 million in April 2025 to €594.33 million in April 2026.
In upcoming articles, we will take a deeper look at each segment and break down the performance of Raw Hides and Skins, Leather, Footwear, Leather Goods and Gloves individually.
ALSO READ: French Leather Industry Exports Fall 3.5% to €4.55 Billion in Q1 of 2026
