Upcoming Trade Shows in for Leather

The leather industry has had to contend with a radical shift in consumer tastes (leather goods are on the decline in response to ethical concerns), but there’s also been a considerable change in the supply chain as developed countries step back in favour of developing countries, which are already responsible for over half of the world’s leather raw materials. The underlying reason here is the fact that there’s a sharp decline in per capita consumption of red meat in developed countries, which directly affects the availability of hides and skins. Approximately 65% of all leather produced globally comes from bovine sources. Historically, developed countries have provided the highest quality bovine raw materials due to favourable climate and husbandry practices. However, as sourcing increasingly moves to the developing world, the leather industry has had to adjust to using hides with surface defects or structural deficiencies. This trend has already led to innovations in finishing techniques that help disguise these imperfections. The demand for high-quality hides for products such as automobile upholstery has thus far supported the retention of efficient tanning processes in developed countries. However, the emergence of pigskin, which accounts for over 10% of global leather production, further shakes the status quo. China has become the dominant producer of pigskin and pigskin leather, yet the unique structure and fat content of pigskin make it challenging to process. Cultural considerations also come into play, as the skin is often left on carcasses or utilised in gelatin production rather than being turned into leather. The rise of factory-like breeding facilities for pigs and poultry brings an added layer of complexity, as these environments are prone to diseases that can disrupt supply chains. Epidemics, such as the blue-ear pig disease affecting Chinese livestock, could dramatically impact supply and pricing in the leather market.