Italy’s tanned leather exports declined 4.9% in value in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year with 16 of the country’s top 20 export destinations recording negative figures according to the latest Market Insights Report by Lineapelle.
Only 4 destinations avoided a decline. France grew 8% and has increasingly become Italy’s main export destination. Portugal remained stable while Turkiye grew 2% and Cambodia recorded a strong 40% increase.
The sharpest falls among Italy’s export destinations were recorded in Poland (-21%), Hungary (-21%) and India (-20%) followed by Serbia (-14%), Romania (-13%) and Tunisia (-11%).
China including Hong Kong fell 8%, Vietnam 8%, Mexico and the UK 6%, Slovakia and South Korea 5%, Spain 4%, Albania 3%, Germany 2% and the USA 1%.
The broader European picture for medium to large bovine hide exports was also negative. Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal and Poland recorded double digit falls as exporters while Germany and Spain also contracted. Only France and the UK achieved positive growth as bovine leather exporters in Europe during the period.
Outside Europe, export declines were recorded in India, Brazil, Pakistan and Turkiye while China, Mexico and Argentina saw recoveries.
In the small leather segment, calf leather exports posted positive results in France and Spain. Sheep and goat skin exports increased in Spain, China, Pakistan and the UK while France, India and Turkiye recorded declines.
One of the few positive developments was an improvement in the quarter on quarter trend in Q2 2026 compared with the Q1 2026.
