From the 4.2 million hands crafting leather in India to the 120 million pairs of shoes made in Italy last year, the global leather industry is a vast economic powerhouse that produced a staggering 12.5 million tons of material in 2022 alone.
Key Takeaways
- Global leather production reached 12.5 million tons in 2022, with bovine leather accounting for 65% of total output.
- India produced 1.2 billion square feet of finished leather in FY2022, making it the world's second-largest producer after China.
- China's leather production volume hit 4.8 million tons in 2021, dominating 38% of global supply.
- The global leather market size was valued at USD 414.8 billion in 2023.
- Leather apparel segment generated USD 120 billion in revenue in 2022.
- Automotive leather market reached USD 45.2 billion in 2023.
- India employed 4.2 million people in leather and footwear sector in 2023.
- China leather industry workforce totaled 3.5 million direct jobs in 2022.
- Italy's leather district employed 120,000 workers in 2023.
- Leather tanning discharged 2.5 billion liters of wastewater daily globally in 2022.
- Chromium usage in leather tanning totals 300,000 tons annually worldwide.
- Leather industry contributes 10% of global chemical oxygen demand in rivers.
- World exported 11.5 million tons of leather products worth USD 350 billion in 2022.
- China exported USD 45 billion in leather goods in 2023.
- India leather exports reached USD 5.2 billion in FY2023.
The global leather industry remains vast and valuable but faces significant environmental and employment challenges.
Employment and Workforce
- India employed 4.2 million people in leather and footwear sector in 2023.
- China leather industry workforce totaled 3.5 million direct jobs in 2022.
- Italy's leather district employed 120,000 workers in 2023.
- Vietnam leather sector provided jobs to 1.2 million people in 2022.
- Bangladesh leather industry employed 500,000 workers in FY2023.
- Brazil tanneries employed 250,000 in leather production chain 2022.
- Pakistan leather workforce reached 800,000 including informal sector in 2023.
- Turkey leather and footwear jobs totaled 200,000 in 2022.
- US leather manufacturing employed 35,000 workers in 2023.
- Ethiopia leather sector jobs 150,000 in 2022.
- Mexico leather industry employed 120,000 in 2023.
- Indonesia leather goods manufacturing jobs 300,000 in 2022.
- Spain leather workforce 45,000 in footwear and goods 2023.
- France leather artisans numbered 20,000 in luxury sector 2022.
- Thailand leather accessories employed 100,000 workers 2023.
- Kenya hides and leather jobs 50,000 in 2022.
- Argentina tannery workers 30,000 in 2023.
- South Korea leather industry employed 25,000 in 2022.
- Nigeria leather processing jobs 40,000 in 2023.
- Russia fur leather workers 15,000 in 2022.
- Morocco leather craftsmen 60,000 in 2023.
- Egypt leather sector employed 250,000 in 2022.
- Ukraine pre-war leather jobs 20,000 in 2022.
- Australia leather processing employed 5,000 in 2023.
- Colombia leather workers 25,000 in 2022.
- Global leather industry employs over 12 million people worldwide in 2023.
- Women constitute 60% of leather workforce in developing countries per ILO 2022.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
India and China might be fighting over who has more people making leather, but together they’ve quietly stitched up over half the world’s jobs in an industry that, from Italian artisans to Bangladeshi tanneries, employs over 12 million souls and leans heavily on the skilled hands of women.
International Trade
- World exported 11.5 million tons of leather products worth USD 350 billion in 2022.
- China exported USD 45 billion in leather goods in 2023.
- India leather exports reached USD 5.2 billion in FY2023.
- Italy exported EUR 6.5 billion in leather footwear in 2022.
- Vietnam leather and footwear exports hit USD 24 billion in 2023.
- Brazil raw leather exports totaled 1.2 million tons valued at USD 2.5 billion 2022.
- Turkey leather exports USD 1.8 billion in 2023.
- Bangladesh leather exports USD 1.1 billion in FY2023.
- Pakistan leather goods exports PKR 45 billion in 2022.
- US imported USD 8.5 billion leather products in 2023.
- EU leather imports from Asia reached EUR 15 billion in 2022.
- Mexico exported USD 1.2 billion automotive leather in 2023.
- Indonesia leather exports USD 800 million in 2022.
- Spain leather exports EUR 2.1 billion in 2023.
- France luxury leather exports USD 4.5 billion in 2022.
- Ethiopia leather exports USD 100 million in 2023.
- Argentina wet blue exports 400,000 tons USD 800 million 2022.
- South Korea leather exports USD 2 billion in 2023.
- Thailand leather goods exports THB 40 billion 2022.
- Egypt leather exports USD 250 million in 2023.
- Russia leather imports USD 1.5 billion pre-2022.
- Australia raw hide exports USD 1 billion in 2023.
- Colombia leather exports USD 150 million 2022.
International Trade Interpretation
While the world's skin trade paints a truly global portrait of craftsmanship and commerce, from China's command of the factory floor to Italy's iconic soles and France's luxurious hides, it's clear that fashion's foundation is stitched together by a sprawling, multi-billion-dollar, and often unsung, international alliance of tanners, cutters, and artisans.
Market Size and Value
- The global leather market size was valued at USD 414.8 billion in 2023.
- Leather apparel segment generated USD 120 billion in revenue in 2022.
- Automotive leather market reached USD 45.2 billion in 2023.
- Furniture leather market valued at USD 38.5 billion globally in 2022.
- Handbag and purse leather market hit USD 65 billion in 2023.
- Global leather chemicals market size was USD 12.9 billion in 2022.
- Vegan leather market grew to USD 89 million in 2023, up 45% YoY.
- India leather market projected to reach USD 28 billion by 2025.
- European leather goods market valued at EUR 22 billion in 2022.
- US leather products retail sales totaled USD 15.4 billion in 2023.
- China's leather retail market exceeded CNY 500 billion in 2022.
- Brazil leather market size was BRL 20 billion in 2023.
- Italy luxury leather goods generated EUR 10 billion in exports 2022.
- Vietnam leather products market valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2023.
- Turkey leather market reached TRY 50 billion in 2022.
- Bangladesh leather goods market size USD 1.2 billion in FY2023.
- Pakistan leather exports contributed PKR 100 billion to economy in 2023.
- Mexico automotive leather market USD 2.8 billion in 2022.
- Indonesia handbag leather market valued at IDR 15 trillion in 2023.
- Spain footwear leather market EUR 3.5 billion in 2022.
- France luxury leather market USD 8 billion in 2023.
- South Africa leather market size ZAR 10 billion in 2022.
- Thailand accessories leather market THB 50 billion in 2023.
- Egypt leather goods market EGP 20 billion in 2022.
- Global leather recycling market valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2023.
- Leather machinery market size USD 4.2 billion in 2022.
Market Size and Value Interpretation
The global leather industry is a behemoth clinging stubbornly to tradition, as evidenced by a $400+ billion market where even its own $12.9 billion chemical underbelly dwarfs the $89 million vegan upstart, which is growing at a frankly rude 45% pace just to be heard over the roar of Italian luxury exports and the hum of automotive upholstery.
Production and Manufacturing
- Global leather production reached 12.5 million tons in 2022, with bovine leather accounting for 65% of total output.
- India produced 1.2 billion square feet of finished leather in FY2022, making it the world's second-largest producer after China.
- China's leather production volume hit 4.8 million tons in 2021, dominating 38% of global supply.
- Brazil exported 300,000 tons of wet blue leather in 2022, primarily from cattle hides.
- Italy manufactured 120 million pairs of leather shoes in 2023, leading Europe in footwear production.
- The US processed 3.2 million cattle hides into leather in 2022, down 5% from previous year due to supply chain issues.
- Vietnam's leather tanning capacity exceeded 500 million square meters in 2022.
- Pakistan produced 45 million pieces of leather garments in 2023, focusing on sports goods.
- Turkey tanned 250,000 tons of leather in 2022, with sheep and goat skins comprising 40%.
- Argentina's leather industry output reached 150,000 tons of semi-processed leather in 2021.
- Ethiopia exported raw hides equivalent to 1 million pieces in 2022, before processing.
- Bangladesh finished leather production was 250 million square feet in FY2023.
- South Korea produced 50,000 tons of synthetic leather alternatives in 2022.
- Mexico's automotive leather output was 20 million square meters in 2023.
- Russia processed 80,000 tons of fur leather in 2022.
- Indonesia's leather goods production included 15 million bags in 2023.
- France produced 10 million square meters of upholstery leather in 2022.
- Nigeria's local tanning industry processed 500,000 hides in 2023.
- Thailand manufactured 8 million leather wallets and accessories in 2022.
- Spain's leather belt production reached 25 million units in 2023.
- Morocco tanned 100,000 tons of goat leather in 2022.
- Kenya processed 2 million sheepskins into leather in 2023.
- Egypt's leather industry output was 150 million square feet in 2022.
- Ukraine produced 50,000 tons of leather before disruptions in 2022.
- Australia supplied 200,000 tons of raw hides for global leather production in 2023.
- New Zealand exported 50,000 tons of wet blue leather in 2022.
- Colombia tanned 80,000 tons of exotic leathers in 2023.
- Peru processed 30,000 tons of alpaca leather in 2022.
- Tanzania's hide processing reached 1.5 million pieces in 2023.
- Global footwear leather consumption was 8 billion square feet in 2022.
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
While China and India dominate the bovine-leather-belt race, the global industry's real story is a complex tapestry of scale—from Italy's millions of shoes to South Korea's synthetic alternatives—stitched together by countless regional specialties, all proving that the world's skin trade is far from a one-hide pony.
Sustainability and Environment
- Leather tanning discharged 2.5 billion liters of wastewater daily globally in 2022.
- Chromium usage in leather tanning totals 300,000 tons annually worldwide.
- Leather industry contributes 10% of global chemical oxygen demand in rivers.
- India leather sector emitted 1.2 million tons CO2 equivalent in 2022.
- Global leather production uses 15 billion liters of water per year.
- 40% of hides are wasted pre-tanning due to poor handling in supply chains 2023.
- Vegetable tanning reduces chemical pollution by 70% compared to chrome.
- Bangladesh tanneries pollute 80% of Buriganga river's BOD levels.
- EU leather recycling rate reached 25% of total production in 2022.
- Pakistan chrome recovery in tanning only 60%, leading to 40% effluent loss.
- Vietnam leather industry deforested 50,000 hectares for fuel 2015-2022.
- Global shift to bio-based leather finishes cut VOC emissions by 30% in 2023.
- Ethiopia raw hide salting uses 2 kg salt per hide, contaminating soil.
- Italy chrome-free leather production increased 15% in 2022.
- China leather wastewater treatment coverage 85% in major hubs 2023.
- Brazil tanneries reduced water use by 20% via recycling tech in 2022.
- Turkey leather sector energy consumption 5 TWh annually.
- Global leather GHG footprint averages 100 kg CO2 per ton produced.
- 70 million cattle hides processed contribute to 5% deforestation.
- US leather recycling diverted 150,000 tons from landfills in 2023.
- Morocco vegetable tanned leather avoids 90% heavy metals.
- Global leather industry biodiversity impact affects 20% of savanna lands.
- Kenya improved effluent standards reduced pollution by 40% in 2022.
Sustainability and Environment Interpretation
While innovations in leather production offer promising glimmers of sustainability, the grim, persistent reality of billions of liters of toxic wastewater, massive chemical use, and widespread resource waste reveals an industry still grappling with a profoundly dirty footprint.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2COUNCILcouncil.leatherindia.orgVisit source
- Reference 3CHINALEATHERchinaleather.orgVisit source
- Reference 4CICBcicb.org.brVisit source
- Reference 5ASSOCALZATURIFICIassocalzaturifici.itVisit source
- Reference 6USALEATHERusaleather.orgVisit source
- Reference 7VIETLEATHERvietleather.vnVisit source
- Reference 8PKLEApklea.com.pkVisit source
- Reference 9DERIderi.org.trVisit source
- Reference 10ACCLAaccla.org.arVisit source
- Reference 11LEATHERETHIOPIAleatherethiopia.comVisit source
- Reference 12LEATHERleather.gov.bdVisit source
- Reference 13K-LEATHERk-leather.or.krVisit source
- Reference 14CICMAcicma.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 15RUSLEATHERrusleather.ruVisit source
- Reference 16APLIapli.or.idVisit source
- Reference 17CICFcicf.frVisit source
- Reference 18NLTFnltf.gov.ngVisit source
- Reference 19THAITLEthaitle.orgVisit source
- Reference 20FEDERACIONDELCUEROfederaciondelcuero.comVisit source
- Reference 21CMC-MAROCcmc-maroc.comVisit source
- Reference 22KLTBkltb.go.keVisit source
- Reference 23LEATHER-EGYPTleather-egypt.comVisit source
- Reference 24UKRLEATHERukrleather.com.uaVisit source
- Reference 25AUSSIEBEEFaussiebeef.com.auVisit source
- Reference 26LEATHERNZleathernz.co.nzVisit source
- Reference 27FEEDECfeedec.com.coVisit source
- Reference 28CAMARAPIELPERUcamarapielperu.comVisit source
- Reference 29TALEPAtalepa.or.tzVisit source
- Reference 30WORLDFOOTWEARworldfootwear.comVisit source
- Reference 31GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 32MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 33FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 34MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 35PERSISTENCEMARKETRESEARCHpersistencemarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 36IBEFibef.orgVisit source
- Reference 37EUROLEATHEReuroleather.comVisit source
- Reference 38CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 39CHINARETAILNEWSchinaretailnews.comVisit source
- Reference 40ABICALCADOSabicalcados.com.brVisit source
- Reference 41CONFINDUSTRIAITALIAconfindustriaitalia.itVisit source
- Reference 42VIETRADEvietrade.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 43TUIKtuik.gov.trVisit source
- Reference 44BGMEAbgmea.com.bdVisit source
- Reference 45PBCpbc.org.pkVisit source
- Reference 46INEGIinegi.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 47BPSbps.go.idVisit source
- Reference 48INEine.esVisit source
- Reference 49INSEEinsee.frVisit source
- Reference 50STATSstats.gov.zaVisit source
- Reference 51NSOnso.go.thVisit source
- Reference 52CAPMAScapmas.gov.egVisit source
- Reference 53FUTUREMARKETINSIGHTSfuturemarketinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 54LEATHERMACHINESleathermachines.comVisit source
- Reference 55UNIONCAMEREunioncamere.gov.itVisit source
- Reference 56BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 57UNIDOunido.orgVisit source
- Reference 58ILOilo.orgVisit source
- Reference 59UNEPunep.orgVisit source
- Reference 60WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 61WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 62MOEFmoef.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 63WATERFOOTPRINTwaterfootprint.orgVisit source
- Reference 64FAOfao.orgVisit source
- Reference 65LEATHERWORKINGGROUPleatherworkinggroup.comVisit source
- Reference 66ADBadb.orgVisit source
- Reference 67ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 68PCLEApclea.org.pkVisit source
- Reference 69WWFwwf.org.vnVisit source
- Reference 70EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 71ASSOMACassomac.itVisit source
- Reference 72MEEmee.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 73CNTBRcntbr.org.brVisit source
- Reference 74IPCCipcc.chVisit source
- Reference 75GREENPEACEgreenpeace.orgVisit source
- Reference 76IUCNiucn.orgVisit source
- Reference 77NEMAnema.go.keVisit source
- Reference 78WTOwto.orgVisit source
- Reference 79CUSTOMScustoms.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 80ISTATistat.itVisit source
- Reference 81TIMtim.org.trVisit source
- Reference 82EPBepb.gov.bdVisit source
- Reference 83TDAPtdap.gov.pkVisit source
- Reference 84USITCusitc.govVisit source
- Reference 85GOBgob.mxVisit source
- Reference 86KEMENDAGkemendag.go.idVisit source
- Reference 87ICEXicex.esVisit source
- Reference 88DOUANEdouane.gouv.frVisit source
- Reference 89KHIDIkhidi.or.krVisit source
- Reference 90DITPditp.go.thVisit source
- Reference 91GAFIgafi.gov.egVisit source
- Reference 92CUSTOMScustoms.ruVisit source
- Reference 93AUSTRADEaustrade.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 94PROCOLOMBIAprocolombia.coVisit source