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- French Leather Industry Reports €19.2 Billion in Exports in 2024 & Trump’s New Tariffs on Global Exports May Boost India’s Footwear Industry
French Leather Industry Reports €19.2 Billion in Exports in 2024 & Trump’s New Tariffs on Global Exports May Boost India’s Footwear Industry
Valencian Leather Maker Inpelsa Wins Bid to Take Over Tenerías Omega and Save 44 Jobs | Tannery in Uruguay Lays Off 50 Workers and more
Arshad Leathernews.org
April 06, 2025
Good Morning & Welcome to our weekly newsletter! Here, we bring you the entire week's global news, insights, market research & analysis, expert insights and facts from the global "leather, footwear, and leather goods" industry.
In a simplified and easy-to-understand manner, saving you time while keeping you informed & updated under 5 minutes every Sunday at 11am.
In case you missed it, here’s a look at what happened in the Global Leather, Footwear & Leather Goods Industry last week.
LEATHER INDUSTRY NEWS
Spanish leather maker Inpelsa has been selected as the new owner of Tenerías Omega, saving 44 jobs at the bankrupt Navarra-based plant. The revamped facility, now called Inpelsa Calf, will resume operations in May, aiming to restore its position in Europe’s leather market with sustainable, high-quality production.
France’s leather industry remained steady in 2024 with exports reaching €19.2 billion (+1%) and imports at €13.7 billion. Luxury goods drove demand, especially in China, the U.S., and Japan (+237%). Europe and Asia each contributed nearly half of imports, resulting in a positive trade surplus of €5.5 billion.
Paycueros, Uruguay’s leading tannery, is laying off 50 workers and placing 150 on temporary unemployment due to low sales and market challenges. The union is pushing back, demanding government intervention. Similar cutbacks have occurred in Paycueros’ operations in Argentina, Vietnam, and Paraguay amid ongoing financial struggles.
Argentina’s leather industry is in crisis, with production dropping from 10,000 to 4,500 hides daily. Over 100 workers lost jobs in a year, and more cuts are expected. Economic instability, weak demand, and wage issues have left companies and workers struggling, casting doubt on the industry's future.
Veneto Leather District in Italy Launches REWASTER Project to Transform Tanning Waste Into Resources
The Veneto Leather District launched REWASTER in Arzignano, Italy on April 3, 2025 a €1.45 million project to recycle tanning waste into valuable materials. Backed by €765,000 in regional funds, it promotes eco-friendly practices, wastewater purification, and circular production, with support from top Italian research bodies and seven local tanneries.
Rwanda is boosting its leather industry with a new tannery park in Bugesera, expected to generate $430 million annually. Aligned with the country’s 2024–2029 transformation strategy, the project aims to reduce imports, create jobs, and turn raw hides into high-value products like shoes, bags, and jackets.
ALLPI has launched the COMESA Regional Leather Value Chain Strategy (2025–2029) to boost Africa’s leather industry. The plan targets outdated tech, low value addition, and poor financing. Leaders urge support for genuine leather, stronger policies, and public-private cooperation to unlock Africa’s full potential in the global leather market.
FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY NEWS
In response to high foreign tariffs on U.S. goods, President Trump has imposed new import duties up to 46% on some countries. While India faces a 26% rate, lower than others, experts see this as a golden opportunity for India's footwear industry to scale exports and attract global brands.
“This is a big chance for India, but we must act fast. We need to shift our thinking to building at scale and becoming investor-friendly”
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Written & Published by Arshad | Leathernews.org
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