The French leather industry has largely shaped the country’s identity around fashion and style, and remains one of the traditional industries that contributes to the national economy. France accounts for 4% of all international leather exports, which places it as the fourth-largest leather exporter in the world after China, Italy, and Vietnam. Key markets for French leather include Italy (15% of exports), followed by Hong Kong (13%), and the United States at (10%). So what does France’s leather industry look like in numbers? For one, there are currently 9,400 businesses that operate within the French leather sector, which altogether employ 130,000 people across various segments, including tanning, footwear, glove making, and leather goods retail. Despite recent challenges in the global economy, the French leather industry has adapted with agility. French tanneries, well regarded for their quality, have stayed on top of market trends by investing in sustainability in order to meet environmental standards and consumer expectations. Many French brands and tanneries have adopted environmentally responsible practices, such as chrome-free tanning and vegetable tanning, in response to rising global demand for sustainable products. Since 2009, the French leather industry has seen a consistent rise in exports, which have grown from €5 billion to €10.6 billion. In 2023, French Customs recorded a 7% increase in exports across all sectors, with imports growing by 4.5%. In the leather sector specifically, imports reached a value of €11.6 billion, marking a 5% growth, while exports saw a 7% increase. These figures underscore the leather industry’s exceptional performance compared to other sectors, which face similar trade dynamics. France’s success in leather exports can be attributed to its deep-rooted expertise. Sales to key markets have surged, with exports to Italy, Hong Kong, the USA, and the UK rising by 7%, 13%, 1%, and 18%, respectively.