EU: Leather Market 2022

Leather Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU leather market increased by 9.2% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Leather Production in the EU

In value terms, leather production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 12%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Leather Exports

Exports in the EU

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of leather increased by 3% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, leather exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a pronounced descent. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 57% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Germany (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Poland (X tons), together mixing up a 22% share of total exports. France (X tons), Austria (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to leather exports from Italy stood at -6.4%. At the same time, Belgium (+6.2%), Poland (+3.6%) and Denmark (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +6.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Spain (-3.8%), France (-5.0%), Austria (-7.4%), Germany (-8.3%) and the Netherlands (-11.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Poland, Belgium and Spain increased by +3.7, +1.8 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the largest leather supplier in the European Union, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with an 8.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Spain, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Italy totaled -3.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-5.9% per year) and Spain (-1.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 24% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+7.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Leather Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, purchases abroad of leather was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 15%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, leather imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a deep reduction. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Italy dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 65% of total imports in 2021. Spain (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 7% share, followed by Poland (5.3%) and Portugal (4.6%). Germany (X tons), Romania (X tons) and France (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to leather imports into Italy stood at -3.0%. Poland (-1.7%), Portugal (-2.7%), Spain (-5.3%), Romania (-6.5%), France (-6.6%) and Germany (-8.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Italy (+5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Germany saw its share reduced by -2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported leather in the European Union, comprising 29% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8.2% share.

In Italy, leather imports contracted by an average annual rate of -6.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (-1.2% per year) and Germany (-7.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a slight setback. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+5.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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