Trade fair in China projects US$115.5 million in sales for Brazilian leather

Responsible for 55% of the world’s footwear production, China recently hosted the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE), bringing together major leather buyers from the manufacturing sector. The participation of Brazilian tanneries in the event resulted in immediate business deals and projected sales for the next 12 months totaling US$115.5 million. A total of 433 business contacts were made at the booths of companies supported by Brazilian Leather, a partnership between the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).
 

 

The event took place from September 1 to 3 and featured a series of networking and image-promotion activities conducted by Brazilian Leather. Letícia Luft, manager of the sectoral project, who accompanied the group of Brazilian exhibiting companies – 11 in total, in addition to an institutional Brazilian Leather booth – says the participation was positive despite the challenging market environment.

“Even with its undisputed leadership in the global production of footwear and other leather goods, China has seen declines in some key indicators for our industry. Leather footwear production fell by 7.6% in 2025, although the figures for the overall value chain remain enormous. Leather apparel delivered the strongest performance, with revenue up 25.5% and exports growing by 41.4%,” Letícia highlights.

At ACLE, Brazilian Leather had the opportunity to present data, values and the evolution of the Brazilian leather industry at a seminar attended by global industry leaders and importers. At its institutional booth, leather from several Brazilian tanneries was showcased through the Preview do Couro exhibition. The exhibition now travels to León, Mexico, where the ANPIC trade fair will take place in October, featuring a dedicated Brazilian Leather space.
 

About Brazilian Leather
Brazilian Leather is a sectoral project dedicated to the international promotion of Brazilian leather, conducted by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency). The project pursues several strategies to strengthen the presence of Brazilian leather in international markets, including support for tanneries participating in the world’s leading industry trade fairs and business missions aimed at fostering closer relationships between Brazilian suppliers and buyers from other countries. More information is available at www.brazilianleather.com.br.

About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve these goals, ApexBrasil carries out a wide range of trade promotion initiatives aimed at increasing exports and enhancing the profile of Brazilian products and services internationally. These include prospective and trade missions, business matchmaking events, support for Brazilian companies participating in major international trade fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and opinion leaders to learn about Brazil’s production capabilities, among other business platforms designed to strengthen the Brazil brand. The Agency also works in coordination with public- and private-sector stakeholders to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors that contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country as a whole.

About CICB
The Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) is the organization representing leather-producing companies in Brazil. Since its foundation in 1957, CICB has worked to promote the growth, development, strengthening and unity of the industry. Sustainability is a guiding principle of the organization and underpins its work in projects involving technology and the training of new professionals; dialogue with government bodies and representation of industry issues before public authorities; trade promotion and advocacy for the leather industry; reputation building and image promotion; technical and design development; and market research and intelligence. CICB also undertakes institutional representation, fosters connections and dialogue throughout the leather value chain, and coordinates working groups on Traceability and Communication with member companies across Brazil.