Leather makers tap into Chinese market

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

‘The new generation in China, which is exploring luxury consumption, is on the way to becoming loyal customers of Turkish leather producers,’ Uyguner says. AA photo

Turkish leather producers are beginning to tap into the Chinese market, the global leader in the sector.

Some $43 million in leather exports were made to China and $45 million to Hong Kong in 2011, said Burak Uyguner, the head of the Union of Leather Industry Employers of Turkey (TÜDİS). Turkey’s leather exports totaled $1.4 billion in 2011, Uyguner said yesterday, adding that leather exporters have kept up with Turkey’s overall economic success. “In fact the total volume of leather exports is larger. Many tourists purchase leather products in Turkey. If you include those purchases, the total exports figure for the Turkish leather industry exceeds $3 billion,” he said.

For 2023, the 100th anniversary of the modern republic, the local leather industry targets a total exports figure of $4.5 billion, Uyguner said, noting that if unfair competition could be prevented the figure could go up to $5 billion. The government has set a total exports target of $500 billion for that year.