According to data released by the Leather Industries of America (LIA), US exports of leather decreased 4.8% to $1.2 billion and imports increased 2.8% to $2.1 billion during 2002, compared with the year earlier.

US hides and skins exports fell 12.8% to $1.6 billion, while imports declined 16.7% to $80 million.  Leather exports fell 4.8% to $1.2 billion and imports rose 2.9% to $2.1 billion. Exports of shoes and leather products, meanwhile, declined 7.2% to $766 million and imports increased 1.2% to $20.1 billion.

Imports of leather gloves declined 4.6% to £263 million, leather apparel imports fell 17.3% to $1.5 billion, handbags and purses decreased 8.2% to $1.3 billion and luggage and flat goods fell 4% to $3 billion. Only imports of other leather products increased, by 15.2% to $675 million.

Mexico was the US’s biggest leather trading partner, with exports into Mexico totalling $492 million and imports into the US reaching $1.2 billion. Canada was also significant, with exports of $48 million and imports of $26 million, as was Italy with exports of $66 million and imports of $252 million. Hong Kong accounted for $123 million of exports and $942 million of imports, while China’s exports totalled $50 million and imports $14 million.

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