The China Leather Industry Statistics reveal the rise, challenges, and future of a sector that drives huge export volumes. we explore data on production, revenue, imports/exports, regional hubs, and trends. You’ll understand how China dominates leather global supply chains and where it might head next.
Overview of China Leather Industry
China’s leather industry leads globally in scale. It produces leather, accessories, bags, garments, and footwear. The China Leather Industrial Association (CLIA) links over 1,400 members in this sector.
In 2022, the industry registered RMB 1.16 trillion in sales revenue (approx. US$ 162 billion), dipping slightly year-on-year.
Over half its output is destined for export markets.
Thus China leather industry statistics show both domestic scale and global reach.
Production Volumes & Types
China leads in leather volume. The country produces about 7.75 billion square feet of leather each year, roughly 20% of world output.
Specifically, sheep, goat, swine, and reptile leather types enjoy growth—some at ~10.2% CAGR.
Imports of leather into China surged to 801 million square meters in 2024 (27% rise).
In volume terms, raw hides and skins imported in 2022 reached 1.21 million tons, with value at US$1.35 billion.
That said, imports of finished leather and semi-finished components declined in recent years.
Thus production is strong, but upstream inputs show mixed trends.
Revenue, Profit & Pricing Trends
The producer price index (PPI) for leather in China stood at 99.8 (base = 100) in 2024, indicating a slight price contraction.
In the leather product segment, total profits (year-to-date) have fluctuated historically.
Profit margins have been under pressure: in export sectors, footwear profits rose ~14.2%, but tanning profits fell ~27.7%.
Thus China leather industry statistics reveal tight margins in certain segments despite scale.
Export & Trade Dynamics
Export is vital to China’s leather economy. In early 2022 (Jan–Jul), leather exports reached US$ 60.51 billion, up 29.6% YoY.
Meanwhile imports in that period were US$ 10.27 billion, down ~10.5%.
Trade surplus in leather and allied sectors hit US$ 50.24 billion — about 10.4% of China’s total trade surplus.
In 2022 alone, exports of leather garments were 10.23 million units (US$170 million).
Footwear exports totaled 9.29 billion pairs valued at US$57.58 billion, while imports reached 190 million pairs (US$5.9 billion).
Leather shoe exports contributed 720 million pairs (US$11.46 billion), while imports were smaller (~71 million pairs).
Thus China’s strength is evident in global footwear and leather goods trade.
Regional Clusters & Hubs
Production concentrates in a few Chinese provinces. Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hebei host major clusters.
Shiling (Guangzhou, Guangdong) is a leather town with ~8,000 enterprises and ~300,000 workers.
In Haining (Zhejiang), leather and textile industries are important local drivers.
Wenzhou (Longwan district) is also a key leather and metal product hub.
These regional hubs benefit from cluster effects, supply chains, and specialized infrastructure.
Challenges & Constraints
China’s leather industry faces environmental pressure. Tanning wastewater contains heavy metals and high chemical loads.
Small tanneries often lack resources for pollution control.
In 2023 and beyond, global disruptions (pandemic, supply chain, trade tensions) dented demand and raw material costs.
Segments vary: tanning and luggage saw profit drops (~27.7%, ~12.5%), while footwear fared better.
Thus the China leather industry statistics record resilience but also weak spots.
Growth Trends & Outlook
The China leather goods market earned US$27,917.5 million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$47,804.5 million by 2030 (CAGR ~8%).
The genuine leather segment dominated revenue share, while vegan leather is fastest-growing.
China’s leather exports were nearly 20% higher in 2022 vs 2021.
Meanwhile, imports of raw materials and semi-finished leather fell, suggesting increased domestic sourcing.
Trade forecasts and sustainability pressures will drive innovation and consolidation.
Key China Leather Industry Statistics (Summary Table)
| Metric | Value / Trend |
| 2022 Sales Revenue | RMB 1.16 trillion (US$ 162 billion) |
| 2024 Leather Imports | 801 million sq m (+27% YoY) |
| Raw Hide Imports 2022 | 1.21 million tons (US$ 1.35B) |
| Footwear Exports 2022 | 9.29 billion pairs (US$ 57.58B) |
| Leather Garment Exports 2022 | 10.23 million units (US$ 170M) |
| Trade Surplus in Leather | US$ 50.24B in early 2022 period |
| Regional Clusters | Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hebei, Fujian |
| PPI 2024 (Leather) | 99.8 (slight decline) |
Strategies & Recommendations
To thrive, leather firms must invest in cleaner technology and wastewater treatment.
They should diversify into synthetic and vegan leather to buffer against raw hide volatility.
Branding, R&D, and design capability upgrades will help firms target premium markets.
Regional clusters can foster shared infrastructure, waste treatment, and logistics.
Public-private collaboration is needed to raise standards and global competitiveness.
Conclusion
China leather industry statistics illustrate power, scale, and risk. The sector dominates global leather production and export but must adapt under environmental, market, and cost pressures. Now is the moment for stakeholders to act—innovate, clean processes, diversify, and brand up.
If you want deeper insight into a specific leather sub-sector or region in China, just ask.
FAQs
Q1: What is China’s share of global leather production?
China produces roughly 7.75 billion sq ft (≈ 20%) of world leather annually.
Q2: Which Chinese cities lead in leather manufacturing?
Key hubs include Shiling (Guangdong), Haining (Zhejiang), Wenzhou (Longwan), and Hebei’s Xinji.
Q3: How big is China’s leather goods market?
In 2023, revenue was US$ 27,917.5 million; projected 2030 value is US$ 47,804.5 million.
Q4: What export volumes does China have in footwear?
In 2022, China exported 9.29 billion pairs, valued US$ 57.58 billion.
Q5: What challenges does China’s leather industry face?
Major challenges include pollution control, low margins in some segments (tanning, luggage), raw material volatility, and pressure to shift to sustainable practices.