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India's Leather Exports Soar, Driven by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
10 Sep
Summary
- India is the 4th largest global exporter of leather goods
- Tamil Nadu accounts for over 40% of India's total leather production
- Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, known as the 'Leather City of the World'
India's leather industry has maintained its prominent position in the country's industrial landscape as of September 2025. The sector is recognized for its substantial contribution to the economy and export earnings, with India ranking as the fourth-largest global exporter of leather goods.
Tamil Nadu, the largest leather-producing state, accounts for over 40% of India's total leather production. The state's major production centers are located in Chennai, Ambur, and Ranipet. West Bengal, with Kolkata as a significant tanning center, and Uttar Pradesh, home to the 'Leather City of the World' Kanpur, are also key players in the industry.
Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur is a major leather hub, with a high concentration of tanneries and manufacturing units. The city is a prominent production center for finished leather, leather goods, footwear, and leather apparel, contributing to more than 80% of Punjab's leather exports. Other notable leather-producing states include Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir.
