The Italian tanning industry, represented by UNIC (National Union of the Tanning Industry), on the basis of the still partial data currently available (first 9 months), estimates to close the overall 2017 balance with exports up 9% by volume and about 1% by value.
The Italian tanning industry employs 17.612 people in over 1.200 companies, has a annual turnover 5 billion euros and is historically considered a world leader for its high technological and qualitative development, strong environmental commitment and innovative capacity in terms of stylistic design.
If confirmed at the end of the year, the 2017 growth of Italian exports of tanned hides interrupts the slightly negative trend which had characterized the 2015 and 2016 results. An international growth that should translate into a slight increase in total production in volume and reassuring stability in value.
Among the intended uses, the good trend in demand for car interiors and the substantial positivity of the furnishings. The fashion clientele works patchily: leather goods are generally confirmed to be more brilliant than footwear, with a persistent focus on price.
Among the main foreign countries of destination the growth of the Chinese area is significant, back to positive after two years: +7%. The United Kingdom (+7%) and Vietnam (+14%) did well, while flows to the USA remained unchanged, after seven years of continuous increases. In the context of the European Union, France is growing, the other main nations are slowing down and, demonstrating how the map of manufacturing relocation has changed, shipments to Romania, Tunisia, Bulgaria and Serbia are decreasing, while Albania, the Czech Republic and Hungary are growing.
The trend in exports confirms how much the contribution of foreign markets has long been in the strong majority and has exceeded 75% of total production in recent years. In 1992 the share was 35%. Made in Italy leather has long held a record of excellence recognized globally. A strong and consolidated leadership, built on quality, technological innovation, stylistic research and sustainability.
Factors that are reflected in the overall value of production and the international commercial weight of Italian tanneries, both for many years in first place in both the European and global rankings. Exports reach an average of 125 countries each year (from A of Albania to Z of Zimbabwe…), for a total value of around 4 billion euros and (based on UN-WTO data) 26% of world trade in finished leather has Italian origin.
