Why the Debate Around Kangaroo Leather Is a Wake-Up Call for the Global Leather Industry?

I came across this article from Packer Leather Pty Ltd yesterday on International Leather maker responding to the “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign. The whole situation is pretty fascinating from an industry perspective.

So here’s what’s happening 

There’s this campaign trying to shut down Australia’s kangaroo leather industry, recently Adidas, Asics and Mizuno ended the use of Kangaroo leather in their football shoes 

Packer Leather came out with some strong facts defending the industry.  

For those who don’t know, Packer Leather is one of Australia’s established kangaroo leather manufacturer and exporter 

They have been in this business for years and are basically defending their entire industry here.

Some of the points 

• They operate under Australia’s strict federal laws with government-approved management plans

• Only harvest about 3% of kangaroo populations annually (way below the 20% quota they are allowed)

• All harvesters need mandatory training and must follow strict humane treatment protocols

• Export of kangaroo products is only permitted from facilities and supply chains that meet the highest standards of traceability, food safety and animal welfare

• They argue it actually helps conservation by preventing overpopulation and habitat damage

Honestly, after reading their response, 

I think Packer Leather makes some solid points. 

When you look at the strict regulations they follow and the conservation benefits they claim, it seems like a well-managed operation. 

This whole debate got me thinking about our own Indian leather industry.

The pressure for transparency is real everywhere. 

Consumers are asking more questions about where leather comes from, how animals are treated, what the environmental impact is. 

We are seeing this in our export markets too. As we move ahead, the norms will be even more stricter. 

What struck me most is how detailed their regulatory framework is and how they are actually contributing to wildlife management, 

They have clearly invested heavily in documentation, traceability, and compliance systems.

For us in India, this is a wake-up call. Our international customers are going to expect the same level of transparency and ethical sourcing documentation. 

The companies that get ahead of this trend will have a real advantage.

At the end this whole kangaroo leather debate got me thinking about how the global leather industry is changing

The days of “just making good leather” are changing I would say. Now it’s more about proving you make good leather responsibly. 

Related stories

1] Asics and Mizuno End Use of Kangaroo Leather in Football Boots

2] Adidas Ends Use of Kangaroo Leather After Activist Group Campaign