Market Intelligence: Frank exchanges at ACLE
Discussions at the recent All China Leather Exhibition in Shanghai did little to lift the mood of the global leather industry, according to the newest edition of our Market Intelligence newsletter.
In fact, conversations in some quarters shifted from “the ups and downs of the raw materials market” or questions about current leather orders to frank exchanges about how much leather will still be needed in the future.
“Of course, these discussions are not held in public and of course the positive and the hopeful are emphasised, but the fact that the topic is being taken seriously at all speaks for itself,” the newsletter says.
It points out that leather production will not simply end and leather will continue to be produced for many years to come, but it insists that the conviction of the past that, sooner or later, there would always be enough demand to absorb the leather produced from the hides available has evaporated.
“This also means that everyone has to ask themselves where and how they can then find their place in this changed environment,” Market Intelligence concludes.
Image: Stahl.
