Brazilian industry renews commitment to innovation as export values dip
Full-year figures show that Brazil exported 640,100 tonnes of hides and skins in 2025, an increase in volume of 7.1% compared to the previous year.
However, in terms of value, the Brazilian leather industry suffered a decline of 9.8% in export values, with 2025 revenues reaching $1.1 billion.
Tanning industry body CICB said 31.7% of the total value had come from shipments to China and Hong Kong, while the US had a share of 12.6% of the total. Italy was the third-biggest market, with a 10.8% share.
Leather manufacturers in the state of Rio Grande do Sul had the greatest share of the total value with 28.6%, followed by São Paulo with 15.3% and Paraná with 14.2%.
Commenting on the figures, head of market intelligence for CICB, Rogério Cunha, said: “Last year was certainly a year of complexity for our industry, with many challenges. But the whole industry is ready to keep working to the full. This includes a commitment to continue investing in new technology.”
He explained that it was in the context of this commitment to innovation that the 2026 CICB Sustainability Forum will take place in Novo Hamburgo on March 4, as part of the Fimec exhibition. He said artificial intelligence would be a central theme at the event.
