Italian Leather Industry Struggles Amid Declining Exports and Market Challenges
Italy’s leather industry continues to face a prolonged downturn as the tanning sector reports declining turnover and production volumes. At Lineapelle, UNIC highlighted that Italy's leather exports fell by 4.9% in value during the first half of 2026 compared with last year. Only four out of the country's top 20 export markets showed stable or positive growth, while major destinations like Spain, Vietnam, Germany, and China saw declines. The industry is grappling not only with geopolitical uncertainty but also a shift in consumer behavior due to inflation and brand overpricing. Suppliers have found it difficult to maintain pricing stability for business clients as luxury brands raised prices significantly without justifying them by input costs alone. In response, some firms are focusing on sustainability initiatives and transparency campaigns aimed at rebuilding trust among consumers. Despite the challenges, organizations like MinervaHub continue supporting manufacturers through collaborative efforts while companies such as Dani invest in research and development to enhance their offerings.
Topics: economic downturn export performance geopolitical uncertainty trade show