France’s leather sector achieved export revenues of almost €14.7 billion in 2021, an increase of 23% compared to the year before, reports Leatherbiz.

These figures, released by the country’s main leather industry body, the Conseil National du Cuir, include raw and tanned hides and skins, footwear, leathergoods, gloves, leather garments and a number of other products, but not finished leather furniture.

China overtook the US, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany to become the biggest market for French leather exports, contributing revenues of almost €2.5 billion towards the total. Exports to China, therefore, grew by 162% year on year (see separate news story).

There was 40% growth in exports to the US, which achieved a value of more than €1.75 billion. There were also increase in the value of shipments to Italy, rising by 18% to reach more than €1.6 billion, and to Germany, up by 7% to pass the €1 billion mark.

This helped offset decreases in export revenues from Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK.

Leathergoods contributed more than €10 billion towards the total, growing by 27% year on year. Footwear constituted the second-most important category, with revenues of almost €4 billion and growth of 15%.

Together, leathergoods and footwear accounted for more than 95% of the total.