China's Leather & Footwear Industry Demonstrates Resilience Amidst Export Pressures

The leather and footwear industry experienced significant export pressure in 2025. Data from January to October showed a 10% year-on-year decrease in export value for footwear products, with leather shoes seeing steeper declines . This downturn is largely attributed to weakened demand in key markets​ like the European Union and the United States, which remain the largest export destinations despite the drop . However, the industry shows resilience. The increase in the export volume of travel bags suggests underlying demand remains stable . Furthermore, the domestic rise of sectors like electric vehicles is creating new market opportunities for automotive leather, indicating potential avenues for diversification and stabilization in the future .