Turkey’s tanning and leather footwear industries face prolonged pressure

Turkey’s tanning and leather footwear industries have been under serious pressure for three years, and the domestic footwear market has taken the hardest hit. For leatherworkers, that kind of prolonged squeeze can show up in tighter leather availability, firmer pricing, and less predictable supply as tanners and finishing shops work more cautiously.

The strain is not a one-off dip. Turkish leather exports fell about 18% in 2024 to roughly $1.52 billion, while footwear, the most exposed downstream market, dropped about 22% to around $877 million. Earlier 2024 figures showed footwear exports at $588.7 million in the first half alone, a reminder of how quickly weakness in shoes can ripple back through hides, finishing, and export orders.

That matters because footwear is one of the biggest outlets for leather in Türkiye’s industrial chain. When the domestic footwear market slows, tanners feel the pressure first, then suppliers of finished leather, components, and trim. Over three years, that sort of drag usually means businesses delay upgrades, protect cash, and avoid taking risks on new product lines, which can leave smaller brands facing a narrower range of stock and longer wait times for the right grades.

Broader economic conditions have not helped. Inflation remained elevated in 2026, according to TURKSTAT and the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, adding strain to consumer demand and raising the cost base for producers already working through thin margins. High inflation at home, together with high interest rates in target markets, has also shifted buying habits and made export recovery harder.

The sector is organized and active on competitiveness issues. The Footwear Industrialists Association of Turkiye says its mission is to develop the industry technically and economically and to increase international competitiveness. The Turkish Leather Industrialists Association lists 70 members, underscoring how many businesses are tied into the same pressure points across tanning, finishing, and footwear.

For makers sourcing leather or watching the trade in finished goods, the clearest signal is that Türkiye’s problem has lasted long enough to change behavior, not just balance sheets. A domestic footwear market under pressure for three years tends to leave its mark all the way back to the hide room.