Our Economic Department provides economic and financial data, statistics, market trends, and forecasts related to the leather industry supply chain. It conducts analyses and offers support in commercial, financial, customs, and tax matters to member companies and, in some cases, to third parties.
The department monitors national and EU economic policies, engaging in institutional relations and advocacy activities in the interest of the sector and its members. It also oversees representation initiatives and international economic cooperation projects.
Institutional Relations
The Economic Department of UNIC – Italian Tanneries monitors and analyzes market dynamics while safeguarding the interests of tanning companies through advocacy and awareness activities on key issues at both the national and international levels (EU, WTO, FAO, UNIDO, etc.). Particular attention is devoted to trade barriers affecting raw and semi-finished hides, agreements between the EU and its partners, and regulations that may impact international trade (such as the EUDR). The Department continuously monitors the evolution of industrial and fiscal policies at both the national and EU levels, and promotes — in the appropriate institutional settings — tools and mechanisms designed to meet the specific needs of the Italian tanning industry, including investment, taxation, transparency, and Made in Italy policies. It also provides support and consultancy services to companies operating within the sector.
Market Surveys and Analysis
The Economic Department of UNIC – Italian Tanneries analyzes the performance of the tanning industry and of the other sectors that make up the entire leather value chain.
To this end, it continuously studies the main market variables and dynamics at both national and international levels — including production, turnover, raw material supply and availability, counterpart research, costs and prices, and the demand trends from client industries and final consumers.
Analyses are conducted regularly using different approaches — such as historical series, structural, economic trend, and forecast surveys. The Department also provides customized studies for member companies, developed on request for specific sectors or markets.
- Italian Tanning Industry Business Climate Observatory
- Provides continuous monitoring of Italian leather production, with detailed information on results and development prospects by product type and range, destination and sourcing markets (countries/sectors), orders, prices, district dynamics, and CIG (Wage Guarantee Fund) trends.
- Italian Import-Export Statistics for Hides, Leather Goods, and Chemical Products
- Analyzes Italy’s foreign trade flows for hides (detailed by type, processing stage, and country of origin and destination), leather goods, and relevant chemical products, with year-on-year comparisons.
- Observatory on International Trade Regulations (Including Tariff Policies)
- Provides ongoing updates on international trade regulations for reference products in the leather sector (raw, semi-finished, and finished hides, as well as leather goods) across all major countries of interest to the global supply chain, focusing on definitions, tariff barriers, multilateral negotiations, and protectionism.
- Lineapelle Economic Outlook
- Our Economic Department provides a detailed quarterly analysis of the international leather and substitute materials supply chain: current conditions and forecasts for basic raw material markets (raw hides, plastics), intermediate stages (tanning, accessories/components, synthetics), related manufacturing industries (footwear, furniture, leather goods, apparel, automotive interiors), and final consumption.
- Raw Hide Availability Observatory
- Analyzes global raw hide production trends (slaughter levels), with short- and medium-term forecasts and detailed breakdowns by main animal type and country/region of origin.
- Raw Material Price Observatory (Raw and Semi-Finished Hides)
- Summarizes price trends for 80 types of raw and semi-finished hides on the national market and across 16 key foreign reference markets; analyzes cyclical and structural price changes with medium- and long-term elaborations (historical series).
- Observatory on the Financial Statements of Italian Tanning Companies
- Financial and income analyses on a sample of about 180 Italian tanneries, highlighting recent trends in the main economic and balance sheet indicators.
Commercial and Customs Assistance
Our Economic Department, in coordination with the Legal Department of UNIC – Italian Tanneries, develops and distributes contractual models to be used in negotiations between tanning companies, their suppliers, and clients (International Contracts – Sales Conditions).
It monitors non-contractual aspects and dynamics, such as practices and customs, as well as all issues related to negotiations and post-transaction matters (warranties on goods sold), providing support to companies in the sector. The Department also promotes association-based initiatives to raise awareness among companies about responsible business practices and sector protection strategies (samples, pricing policies).
It conducts ongoing regulatory monitoring of trade agreements, tariffs, rules of origin, Made in, and international trade, providing companies with assistance in identifying the origin of goods, their correct tariff classification, and the documentation required to comply with agreements and regulations.
Finally, it offers support on CITES-related issues, both documentary and operational
Finance and Credit
Our Economic Department supports companies by providing useful information for sound economic and financial management. In addition, an annual observatory is active on the financial statements of a significant sample of companies in the sector (covering over 65% of national turnover) to measure trends in the main economic, financial, and equity indicators of tanning companies.
Internationalization and Cooperation
The Economic Department of UNIC coordinates and takes part in cooperation initiatives (projects, meetings, missions) with both national and international public entities (governments, international organizations) and private partners (trade associations, research centers, individual companies). The goal is to promote and support the commercial development of the Italian tanning industry and to explore new sourcing and export markets.
Among the most recent initiatives is the ITC-COMESA Cooperation Project, carried out with key countries of Eastern and Southern Africa (Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe), financed by ITC (United Nations agency). The project aimed to re-establish raw material supply sources for the Italian tanning industry in the region, including:
– a study on the raw material requirements of Italian tanneries
– identification of potential African suppliers
– trade missions in Italy and Africa.
The Economic Department also supports internationalization activities of member tanneries, providing information and logistical assistance during trade fairs, business missions, and international promotion events organized by the UNIC – Italian Tanneries Group.
Examples include Lineapelle New York, Lineapelle London, APLF Hong Kong, Shoes & Leather Guangzhou, Tokyo Leather Fair, and the World Leather Congress Shanghai 2017.
