The Spanish tanning industry

Tanning is an industrial sector with a long-standing tradition in Spain: beginning amongst craftsmen, it has remained in place for centuries, evolving progressively to its current high technological level.

Tanning sector is made up by 98 companies employing some 2.300 workers.

The companies geographical distribution shows a strong concentration in the autonomous regions of Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia with some other tanneries spread over other provinces.

2018 tanning industry output reached 690 million euros.

Bovine leather output slightly exceeds 65% of the total sector production, followed by sheepskin wool and w/o wool on leather, with some 19%, being the remaining 16% distributed among goatskin, pigskin, rabbit and reptile leather.

Leather external trade showed in 2018 presents a favorable balance, with an export figure of 370 million Euros and 307 million euros for imports. Export and import data include sales to the European Union.

The EU as a whole constitutes the main destination of the Spanish leather exports, accounting in 2018 for some 67% of the total export figure.

Main Spanish leather exports destinations are: Italy, Portugal, France, Morocco, China, Hong-Kong, Vietnam, South Korea, , Germany, Romania, India and U.K. which proves the prestige of the leather from Spain, due to its high content of design and fashion and to the quality of the hides.