As the second day of the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) closed on September 4, most exhibitors were happy with the number of visitors at the show. However, underlying weakness in the global leather supply chain remains a concern.

Chinese tanner Zhengyi

The question on everyone’s lips at this year’s ACLE is whether the strong visitor footfall of the first two days will translate into serious business once the fair concludes on September 5. Depending on who you spoke to, some exhibitors were more optimistic than others. Nevertheless, there were no complaints of lack of visitor activity.

Weighing over the three-day show is the ongoing uncertainty around global trade tariffs which many said was holding some companies back from investing in new technologies, chemicals or raw materials. Consumer buying sentiment remains subdued despite the Chinese government providing incentives for domestic consumers to spend.

Two of the exhibition halls were dedicated to housing finished leather produced by the major Chinese tanners. They were moderately less busy on the second day than the first. One major tanner from Brazil told ILM that they had come to Shanghai with low expectations but that the event had been better than they had anticipated.

This is because there is an underlying weakness in both the Chinese and international leather market. Reports say that hide and skin traders selling to the Chinese tanning industry could only secure stand on prices, with tanners bidding US$1–2 per hide below the last booked business. No hide and skin supplier was able to increase prices, which may tell its own story on the market.

The ACLE is taking place at the SNIEC in the Pudong district of Shanghai between September 3-5. The event is co-organised by APLF Ltd and the China Leather Industry Association. The next edition of ACLE takes place at the same venue September 1-3, 2026.