Leather of other animals without hair on market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for leather of other animals without hair on in Italy contracted from 201.8 million $ to 109.3 million $. This decline was initially driven by Italian retailers like Geox joining the Fur-Free Retailer Standard and ceasing animal leather use. Tightened EU animal welfare rules in 2019 increased production costs, and new mandatory labeling regulations in 2020 under decree 2020‑68/2020 imposed stricter terminology controls and penalties, further pressuring market participants.

The market temporarily recovered to 150.0 million $ in 2021, but the trend toward leather-free alternatives strengthened as brands such as Miniconf fully removed animal leather from their assortments. Parliamentary discussions about a fur farming ban added regulatory uncertainty. A decisive shift occurred in June 2022 when a national ban on breeding and killing animals for fur took effect, closing the last Italian farms and constraining the supply of raw materials, contributing to a market size reduction to 144.3 million $ that year.

By 2023‑2024, the market stabilized at a lower level, reaching 126.5 million $ in 2024. Sustained pressure from anti‑leather movements, ongoing regulatory adjustments, and shifting consumer preferences toward alternative materials maintained this reduced market volume.

Production other leather without hair in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of leather from other animals without hair has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 172.8 million US dollars, marking a significant 23.8% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 35.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports other leather without hair from Italy

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Italy exported 1 250 tonnes of leather from other animals without hair in 2020, representing a sharp 33.4% year-on-year decline. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 211 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 74.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 41.6% drop. Overall, export volumes varied 2.6 times between the 2018 high and the 2020 low.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export destinations for leather from other animals without hair were highly diversified. China accounted for 26.6% of exports by volume, Romania for 10.5%, and Spain for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 47.0% of total flows, while the remaining 53.0% was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's export value of leather from other animals without hair declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 109.9 million US dollars, showing a substantial 14.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.3%, with an annualized decline of 1.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 166.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 43.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France remained the top buyer of Italian leather from other animals without hair by value, accounting for 44.7% of exports. Switzerland followed with 10.7%, and Romania with 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 63.1% of Italy's total export value in this category.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports other leather without hair to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of leather from other animals without hair declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 486 tonnes, representing an 8.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 63.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 28.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, India was the leading supplier of leather from other animals without hair to Italy by volume, accounting for 21.3% of imports. China followed with 13.4%, and the United States with 13.2%. However, these three countries together represented only 47.9% of total import volume, with the remaining 52.1% coming from numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's import value of leather from other animals without hair declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 46.4 million US dollars, down by 44.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 50.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 20.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 106.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, France remained the primary source of Italy's imports of leather from other animals without hair by value, accounting for 30.1%. Indonesia followed with 10.8%, and Singapore with 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 51.3% of Italy's total import value in this category.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020