The French leather industry has shared fresh figures for January to June 2025 through the Economic Observatory of Alliance France Cuir. The new data shows a stable import market but a slight drop in exports along with clear shifts in sourcing and product demand.
French leather industry imports held steady at €6.8 billion while exports dipped 3% to €9.4 billion.
Raw hides and skins imports fell from €82 million in 2024 to €76.1 million in 2025 down 7% while exports slipped from €108.8 million to €105.1 million down 3%.
Tanned leather also saw weaker trade with imports falling 25% from €34.5 million to €25.9 million and exports sliding 14% from €16.6 million to €14.2 million.
Finished leathers performed better. Imports rose from €227.6 million in 2024 to €247.8 million in 2025 up 9% although exports slipped slightly from €102.6 million to €101.3 million down 1%.
Footwear continued to grow on the import side rising from €3.98 Billion to €4.08 Billion up 3% but exports fell 4% from €2.72 Billion to €2.60 Billion.
Leather goods imports dropped 4% from €2.31 Billion to €2.21 Billion while exports increased from €6.28 Billion to €6.38 Billion up 2%.
When it comes to Leather gloves imports were up by 11% from €82.8 million to €92.3 million and exports up 12% from €137 million to €147 million.
These movements reflect larger sourcing trends. Europe’s share of French imports has fallen 9% to 46% while Asia’s share has climbed 11% to 50%.
China grew its exports to France by 7% Vietnam by 19% Indonesia by 11% India by 7% and Cambodia by 29%.
Orders from European suppliers have dropped with Italy down 11% Spain down 20% the Netherlands down 6% and Germany down 2%.
The average price for a pair of imported shoes is down 4% to €17 and for a handbag down 15% to €26 showing a push toward lower-cost sourcing.
Vietnam has strengthened its position as France’s third-largest supplier. It now accounts for 23% of France’s footwear imports by value with a 19% rise in footwear imports 15% rise in leather goods imports and 28% rise in leather glove imports.
Italy remains the largest supplier to France but is slowing. French exports of raw materials to Italy are down 6% affecting collectors and tanners.
Imports from Italy also fell with leather goods down 16% and footwear down 11%.
Italy still accounts for 30% of French imports in leather goods and 22% in footwear but activity has weakened since the end of 2024.
The sector’s trade balance stays in surplus but has shrunk by €0.3 billion compared with the first half of 2024.
Orders from the United States rose 3% and from Germany 1% but Asia showed sharper declines with China down 1% Japan down 5% Hong Kong down 22% Singapore down 27% and Korea down 12%.
Asia still represents 55% of the value of French leather goods exports with China and Japan together at 29%.
Overall the French leather industry in early 2025 is importing more competitively from Asia and exporting fewer but higher-value products.
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Source – Alliance France Cuir
