This year's All-China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) is the 25th edition of this trade fair that held its first edition in Beijing in 1998. It will take place from 3 to 5 September at the New International Expo Centre in Pudong, Shanghai. The event covers a total exhibition area of 80,500 square meters and 7 halls of international and domestic tanneries, materials, machinery and chemical suppliers.

As presented during ACLE 2025 Press Conference held in Hong Kong on 13 March 2025, “at ACLE, the whole supply chain for the leather and footwear manufacturing industries is represented, with a wide array of leathers, components, chemicals and machinery on display. Many of the world's leading chemical suppliers are present at ACLE and use it as a platform to launch new products and technological developments direct to their target market in China. In last edition, more than 31,000 visitors passed through the fair, reconfirming the importance of ACLE as a key sourcing event” stated Ms. Margaret Ma Connolly, President & CEO of Informa Markets in Asia.

Despite lack demand for leather throughout the world's manufacturing hubs and a slowdown in consumer demand for leather goods, accessories and footwear in general due to a flagging world economy, ACLE's performance in 2024 was a cause for optimism in the leather industry that demand could soon improve.

Increased red meat demand has led to surplus hides, with 40-45% discarded. Leather prices are at historic lows, contrasting sharply with ACLE 2014's peak prices. Despite low prices, demand for leather shoe uppers remains stagnant as synthetics dominate the footwear market. The sneaker trend has impacted tanneries, especially in Italy, where costs rise and profits shrink.

Asia, notably India and China, shows economic resilience, indicating sustained consumer demand for products like leather goods. China's auto sector thrives, boosting leather use in car interiors. Despite a dip in leather and footwear manufacturing in early 2024, ACLE 2024 showcased industry enthusiasm, making China still a key player in leather production.

Coming to current year and ACLE next edition, the backdrop to ACLE 2025 has hardly changed since last year. Demand for leather and consumer goods in Western economies remains subdued even though inflation has fallen mainly due to more manageable energy prices, mortgage rates and food prices.

On the geopolitical front, the conflict in Ukraine continues; instability still reigns in the Middle East and there is still a latent threat to commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea. Even though these conflicts could be resolved this year and thus lift much of the uncertainty being generated, there is now an increased risk of widespread tariffs that could prejudice global trade flows. The incoming Trump administration in the US has chosen import tariffs on foreign goods ostensibly to reduce the US negative trade balance with its major trade partners. These are China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union. The result? There could be an uptick in global inflation leading to higher interest rates and a slowdown in world trade, with President Trump's tariffs aim to rebalance trade, potentially affecting world trade dynamics. This is not good news for the leather and leather products sectors.

With almost six months to go before the start of ACLE 2025, many things can happen, either to untangle the complex web of geopolitics complicated by the tariff policy hitting world trade. On the other hand, geopolitical and commercial knots could be pulled tighter, making solutions even less feasible in the short

to medium term.

Whatever the outcome, ACLE will still be China's definitive event for the leather sector bringing exhibitors and buyers a grand gathering opportunity, integrating new products, new technologies and new fashions, to shape new advantages and inject new impetus to the development of the global leather industry.