Preliminary data from the Italian tanning industry and the results of European and non-European supply chains had already hinted at it: it was a difficult 2024 for leather. The Economic Results of the Italian Tanning Industry, processed by UNIC – Italian Tanneries, confirm the complexity of the period. In 2024, Italian production volume dropped by 4.1% year-on-year (-6.7% leather soles), while value dropped by 4.5%, settling at 4.1 billion euro.
A difficult 2024
The economic situation has unprecedented aspects, commented President Fabrizio Nuti during the
UNIC Assembly (July 1, Milan), “The difficulties are widespread and generalized, and do not seem to spare any of the main production segments of our tanneries”. And so, while luxury has to rebuild the relationship with customers on the basis of a renewed value for money, and geopolitical tensions scare an already cold public, Italian tanneries have to reorganize themselves. “Companies are merging, supply chains integrate, procurement and financial investments are being diversified.
Production offerings, meanwhile, expand or concentrate, depending on specific needs”, Nuti continues. “In my opinion, this is a sign of health for the sector, an indicator of the dynamism that continues to pervade our world. A luxury brand doesn’t invest in the capital stock of a tannery if it doesn’t believe in leather as a material. Just as a fund wouldn’t if it felt that the tanning business was unattractive in terms of profit margins“.
The data
Going back to UNIC’s elaborations, Italian leather exports lost 3.6% to 2.8 billion. Despite the complex moment, the Italian industry confirms its continental and global leadership: selling materials in 121 countries, Italian sales accounted for 67% of the value of European production (25% of global production) and 62% of the volume (31% of world production). At the same time, the goods made by Italy’s tanning segment is mainly aimed at the premium/top market (65.9%), but it is also serving the lower-middle segment (remaining 34.1%).
京公网安备 11010202009378号
