Vietnam Produces 52.5 Million Leather Footwear in 2 Months with 31.8% Growth & World Leather Day 2025 Set for April 26

The International Council for Hides, Skins & Traders Association (ICHSLTA) Elects New Board at APLF Hong Kong | ALLPI Pushes for Reforms and New Strategy to Strengthen Africa’s Leather Industry | Nike Reports 9% Revenue Drop to $11.3 Billion in Q3 FY2025 & more

Author

Arshad Leathernews.org
March 30, 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

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

ICHSLTA has announced its newly elected board on the eve of APLF Hong Kong.

President: Micaela Topper (AHSLEA – Australian Hides, Skins, Leather Exporters Association)

Vice Presidents: Chen Zhanguang (CLIA – China Leather Industry Association) and Nick Winters (Fédération Française des Cuirs et Peaux – French Hides and Skins Federation)

Secretary: Lénaïg Maneat Daclin will continue in her role.

World Leather Day 2025 is set for April 26 with the theme “Beyond The Surface.” The campaign highlights transparency, sustainability, and longevity in leather. Industry leaders and brands are encouraged to share content, with promotional materials available.

ALLPI is tackling Africa’s leather industry challenges through the COMESA Regional Leather Value Chain Strategy (2025-2029). Key focus areas include value addition, tech upgrades, and financing. Executive Director Nicholas Mudungwe urges support for genuine leather, while experts call for strong policies and investment to boost Africa’s global leather market presence.

COMESA is boosting its leather industry by reducing raw hide exports and focusing on local manufacturing. The Leather Value Chain Strategy 2025–2029 aims to support SMEs, enhance skills, and drive innovation. With Africa’s manufacturing at just 3% of global output, this initiative seeks to create jobs and boost competitiveness.

Massimo Boldrini has been elected President of the Vegetable Tanning Consortium for 2025-2027. Joined by Vice Presidents Paolo Testi and Manuel Casella, the new leadership aims to uphold the heritage of vegetable tanning. Boldrini calls it a symbol of authenticity, emphasizing its cultural and territorial significance.

Kenanie Leather Tannery in Machakos County is set to boost Kenya’s leather industry by providing pastoralists with a stable market for hides and skins. Part of a 500-hectare leather industrial park, the project aims to increase exports, create jobs, and drive economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability through water treatment initiatives.

India’s proposed FTA with the UK is set to benefit industries like leather and IT services. With 14 negotiation rounds since 2022, both nations aim for a fair deal. If finalized, it could boost Indian exports and strengthen economic ties, creating new trade opportunities in the UK market.

FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY NEWS

Vietnam’s leather footwear industry saw a strong start in 2025, producing 52.5 million pairs in the first two months a 31.8% increase from last year. February’s output rose to 26.6 million pairs, reflecting steady growth. High global demand continues to drive production, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai.

Nike reported a 9% revenue drop in Q3 FY25, totaling $11.3 Billion. Nike Direct fell 12%, wholesale declined 7%, and net income dropped 32% to $794 Million. CEO Elliott Hill remains optimistic, focusing on athlete-driven storytelling and innovation. The company repurchased 6.5 Million shares and paid $594 Million in dividends.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & ANALYSIS

Mapping India's Leather, Leather Products & Footwear Exports Region Wise Analysis for FY2023-24

Following up on my last weeks breakdown of India's leather industry exports by product categories, I am now sharing the regional distribution of our $4.69 Billion export market

Lets look at the map of India's leather, leather products & footwear export performance by region:

[1] SOUTH Region

  • Value - Rs.15,114.97 crores ($1.981 billion)

  • % Share - 42.23%

[2] NORTH Region

  • Value - Rs. 8,911.36 crores ($1.168 billion)

  • % Share - 24.9%

[3] EAST Region

  • Value - Rs. 4,975.96 crores ($652 Million)

  • % Share - 13.91%

[4] CENTRAL Region

  • Value - Rs. 6,150.77 crores ($806 Million)

  • % Share - 17.19%

[5] WEST Region

  • Value - ₹629.51 crores ($83 Million)

  • % Share - 1.76%

If you missed my detailed product wise breakdown from last week showing which categories are performing best (& my thoughts on the performance), check out my previous post here 

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Written & Published by Arshad | Leathernews.org

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