One of the most important players of global leather industry is Brazil. For this reason, Leather Insiders team
could not have missed the CICB voice, with Mr. José Fernando Bello,
Executive President of the association, who told us the momentum Brazilian
tanneries are experiencing.
“We are closely monitoring market trends, continuously seeking
improvements, innovations, and technologies that enhance efficiency for our
clients and promote sustainability for the planet. Our current situation
reflects this vision: we have dedicated efforts in working groups, partnerships
with suppliers, and a keen focus on the entire supply chain to always bring the
best solutions to our challenges”, began Mr. Bello to depict current
Brazilian situation. “We are already seeing positive results, which motivates
us even more to keep improving. This is reflected in quality indicators,
reduced input consumption, higher satisfaction among stakeholders, and a lower
environmental impact. It’s a development that is noticeable in the market,
which appreciates and aligns with our purpose. Brazil has a century-old
tradition in leather tanning, providing us with unique expertise in techniques,
processes, customer relationships, and demands. In 2025, we will continue on
our growth path, always listening to people, understanding the market, and
developing a deep understanding of sustainability's nuances in our industry”.
Brazil is leather producer as well as an important leather supplier, so
both 2024 balance and 2025 forecast according to Brazilian hides production is
a global concern.
“Our leather production is naturally tied to Brazil's beef production, as
the country has the world’s largest commercial cattle herd. In 2024, we are
witnessing growth in our exports (+13.5% in value from January to October and
+21.7% in area during the same period). This reflects the international
market's appreciation for our compliance, deliveries, and efficiency. We also
recently concluded the 2024 edition of the Study of the Brazilian Tanning
Sector, which outlines key figures for our industry. The report is available
for free download (in Portuguese only) at www.brazilianleather.com.br. It
highlights data such as: in 2021, 78% of companies held some type of
certification, which has now risen to 86.7%. Tanneries treat 90% of their
liquid effluents daily, while 85% of companies have implemented water
consumption reduction programs. Additionally, 90% of tanneries have organized
solid waste recycling programs”.
Taking the opportunity to interview CICB Executive President, we could not
have missed to mention the increasingly important topic of sustainability
and traceability, as well as the major challenges for tanneries in this regard.
“In recent years, we have embarked on an intense journey to implement new
technologies and tools aimed at sustainability, particularly in traceability
and compliance within the Brazilian leather supply chain. The CICB Raw Material
Guide (available for free download at www.brazilianleather.com.br) is one
outcome of this effort. This approach is more than a strategy; it represents a
permanent commitment intrinsic to our industry's purpose, aligning with global
demands such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Our
dedication to this agenda is evident in every process carried out by the
industry and its partners, including slaughterhouses, transport companies,
livestock operations, chemical suppliers, and tannery teams. As a result – he
concluded – we are already reaping the benefits of these efforts. At the same
time, we continue to evaluate areas for improvement and refine our work to
align with the best practices in global leather production”.
Leather Insiders team deeply thanks Mr. Bello and his communication and
marketing team for providing us an unmissable overview of current Brazilian
leather market situation.