Indian Leather Sector Defies US Tariff Headwinds, Projects Resilient $5.25–5.5 Billion Export Outlook

The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has issued a strategic assessment indicating that India's leather and footwear exports are poised to maintain robust performance, targeting a range of $5.25–5.5 billion for the current fiscal year, despite persistent tariff pressures from the United States. This projection underscores the industry's adaptive capacity and diversified market strategies, which have mitigated potential disruptions from trade barriers. Concurrently, the CLE highlights a transformative opportunity on the horizon: the impending India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Analysts within the council assert that this accord could serve as a catalytic force, fundamentally reshaping export dynamics and supply chain efficiencies. The FTA is anticipated to enhance market access, reduce tariff burdens, and foster competitive advantages, positioning the sector to achieve an ambitious target of $14 billion in exports by 2030. This dual-focus report—balancing near-term resilience with long-term strategic growth—reflects a calculated industry outlook, emphasizing both operational steadiness and forward-looking policy engagement as pivotal to sustaining India's global footprint in leather and footwear manufacturing.