Sustained growth for German leather sector in 2002
To coincide with the attendance of 12 of its members at this year’s Lineapelle, the German Leather Federation has released its figures for 2002.
After expanding its turnover by 10.1% to Eur600 million in 2001, the German leather industry grew by a more modest 7.4% in the first half of this year. Of the 2001 total – and in spite of the strength of the euro - 47% was derived from direct exports and around 20% from indirect business. For the full year, production of bovine grain leather is expected to rise to Eur14 million sq. m. – the main engine for growth being continued strong demand from the automotive sector.
It was quite a different story in the footwear market, where sales slumped 4% as the economic recession at home took hold. Had it not been for the resilience of the eastern European and Far Eastern export markets, are far worse situation might have prevailed. As it was, no let-up was seen in the migration of footwear manufacturers to lower cost centres abroad and the increasing focus on the high end market among those that had chosen to remain. As in previous years, the rise in production was more or less evenly balanced between the domestic market (+7.8%) and rising exports (+6.9%).
