China’s Leather Trade Surplus Narrows 5.7% in First Seven Months of 2026

China’s leather industry reported a mixed trade performance in the first seven months of 2026, as exports declined while imports continued to rise, according to data released by the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA).

From January to July, China’s total exports of leather products reached US$48.61 billion, down 4.0% compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, imports increased by 3.9% year on year to US$9.3 billion.

As a result, the industry’s trade surplus, which is the difference between exports and imports, stood at US$39.31 billion. This represented a 5.7% decline from the corresponding period last year.

Despite the fall, the leather sector continued to make a significant contribution to China’s overall trade performance. The industry’s US$39.31 billion trade surplus accounted for 5.7% of China’s total trade surplus across all sectors during the January to July period.

The figures indicate that China’s leather industry is facing pressure in international markets. The decline in exports suggests softer overseas demand and challenging global trading conditions, while the increase in imports has further narrowed the gap between the country’s exports and imports.

Nevertheless, the sector remains a major contributor to China’s export economy. With leather product exports exceeding US$48 billion in just seven months, China continues to hold a strong position in the global leather market.

The performance in the remaining months of 2026 will now be closely watched to see whether exports recover and whether the industry’s trade surplus stabilizes.