France is in the leading group of leather exporting countries (hides and finished products) as the 4th largest exporter of leather goods, taking all sectors into account

1. Conseil National du Cuir 105, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008 Paris
Press Contact: Aurélie Metharam / Tel: +33 (0)1 43 59 05 69 / ametharam@sicgroup.com
www.conseilnationalducuir.org
10 FEBRUARY 2015
The Conseil National du Cuir (French Leather Council) is publishing its annual report on world trade in
the leather sector*.
The French leather sector is in a prime position as the 4th
largest exporter in the world across all sectors,
with 4% of all international exports after China, Italy and Vietnam. Its main clients are Italy (15% of
exports) where France has gained four percentage points in this market over the last decade, Hong-Kong
(13% of exports) and the USA (10% of exports).
A great performance for French leather wholesalers as France is the 3rd
biggest exporter in the world of leathers and raw hides
Exports of leathers and raw hides from France represent 6.1%, in value terms, of world trade in these
products. France is in third place behind the USA and Australia. A stable situation as we have held this
third place for a number of years. Over the last 10 years we have seen the USA lose four percentage
points of market share and Australia gain three percentage points. Our clients are Italy (75%), China (9%)
and Spain (5%).
French leather goods are still in high demand internationally
France maintains its position as the 3rd
largest exporter of leather goods, with almost 10% of
international exports. In 10 years, France has earned almost 2 percentage points in this market and is
closing on Italy (12.6%) but remains far behind China, which represents 52.6% of total exports.
The growth in leather goods exports from Vietnam should be highlighted. It becomes the third largest
supplier to the USA, moving ahead of France this year.
China remains the leader as the largest supplier to the USA, Japan and France.
*This document refers to trade in 2013. All statistics are calculated according to the value of the trade.
This report can be downloaded from conseilnationalducuir.org
France is in the leading group of leather exporting countries (hides
and finished products) as the 4th
largest exporter of leather goods,
taking all sectors into account

2. Conseil National du Cuir 105, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008 Paris
Press Contact: Aurélie Metharam / Tel: +33 (0)1 43 59 05 69 / ametharam@sicgroup.com
www.conseilnationalducuir.org
Overseas demand for clothing and accessories in leather from France is
showing strong growth.
With 5.2% of total worldwide exports, France is at the 5th
place. Ten years ago, France was at the 7th
place and its exports represented just 2.6% of world trade in these items.
High levels of imported leather articles from Asia and also from Italy
France is one of the main importers in the footwear, leather goods and leather clothing and accessories
sectors. It is the 3rd
largest importer of shoes (6% of global imports, with China supplying 29% and Italy
21% of French imports), and leather clothing and accessories (7.7% of global imports, with Italy
supplying 20% and India 24% of French imports). France is the 4th
largest importer of leather goods
(6.3% of global imports, China supplying 42% and Italy 31% of French imports).
The Economic Observatory of the French Leather Council (CNC):
It carries out monthly surveys of the leather industry in the following sectors: tanning, footwear and
leathergoods. It also carries out monthly and annual surveys of collectors of leathers and raw hides.
The Economic Observatory processes and disseminates the external trade data provided by the French
Customs authorities, the results of annual production surveys and data relating to global trade.
The publications produced by the Economic Observatory contain statistics on imports and exports, herd
size, controlled slaughter, the collection of raw hides, production, deliveries, invoicing, headcount and
payroll in the various sectors of the leather industry.
The Economic Observatory also works on the monthly, seasonal and annual surveys of the Fédération
des Enseignes de la Chaussure (French footwear retailers).
The French leather industry
♦ 8 000 businesses
♦ 15 billion euro turnover
♦ 70,000 people employed in the leather, tanning,
footwear, leathergoods and glovemaking and leather
goods retail industries.
♦ World No.1 for finished calf leather and exotic leather
♦ 3rd biggest exporter in the world of leathers and raw
hides
♦ 13th largest exporter of finished leathers
Conseil National du Cuir
The confederation brings together 19
federations and professional unions of the
French leather industry, ranging from the
farming of livestock through to the finished
products.