France sees a stronger leather trade surplus in 2023.

France sees leather exports grow by 6% in 2023 to reach €1 billion, while imports remain stable at €14 billion. A positive trade balance of €5 billion was made possible in part by demand for French leather products in Asia, writes fr.fashionnetwork.com.

The report, presented by Alliance France Cuir (formerly the National Leather Council), notes a 12% increase in sales to Asia: the region accounts for 44% of French exports, with a volume of 8,4 billion euros. In particular, a noticeable increase in sales of leather and leather goods from France is observed in countries such as Japan (+28%), Hong Kong (+17%) and South Korea (+16%).

The growth in export sales of leather goods was 5%. At the same time, China accounts for 18% of French exports, its volume amounts to 2,5 billion euros (+9%). The Celestial Empire is significantly ahead of the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and even Italy.

However, the industry as a whole has seen a decline in exports of leather and leather products (-9%), as well as raw hides (-8%). In this latter area, China becomes the second largest consumer of finished leather and hides from France, importing €21 million. Thus, the Celestial Empire is ahead of Portugal (20,6 billion), but remains far behind Italy, which last year imported finished French hides worth 81 billion.

Last year, French exports of gloves amounted to €32 million (stable), leather clothing €231 million (+20%) and footwear €5,4 billion (+9%).

At the same time, French imports of leather goods from Europe increased by 16%, while imports from Asia fell by 6% (and to -18% for India and -18% for Vietnam). France imported fewer Asian footwear than last year (-15% by volume, -10% by value).

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Alliance France Cuir experts wonder whether the supply of leather goods and footwear will move to the Old Continent. They note that “average customs prices are rising, which is a sign that products are moving to a higher level, despite inflation. When imported, it increases by 12% for a pair of shoes and up to 16% for shoes with leather uppers.”

Last year, France imported €4,5 billion worth of leather goods (+6%), with Italy, China, Spain and India being the main suppliers. In footwear, imports fell 2% to €8,1 billion, with the majority (44%) of models featuring leather uppers.

Glove imports were down 14% to €74 million, while leather clothing imports were up 6% to €181 million.

In terms of materials, France imported €125 million worth of raw hides and leathers last year, down 9%, with the US, Australia and Zimbabwe the main suppliers. On the tannery side, France imported €559 million worth of materials (+12%), mainly from Italy, Spain and Singapore.