Global interest in the Middle East and Africa’s (MEA) leather industry is gaining momentum, as international tanneries, designers, suppliers, and manufacturers look to boost business prospects at the upcoming trade show to be held next month in Dubai, UAE.

Debut exhibitors from as far away as Australia, the Netherlands, and Thailand, will rub shoulders with a host of returning players at Leatherworld Middle East 2017, as they set sights on a regional market where demand for finished leather products, tanned animal hides, and manufacturing supplies remains strong.  

The event will be held from April 30 to May 2, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.  

According to analysts Euromonitor International (EMI), the MEA’s production turnover of tanned and dressed leather (including footwear, clothes, and accessories) was worth $4.08 billion in 2016, and estimated to rise to $4.22 billion by 2020.  

The retail value of luxury leather goods across the region is also solid; EMI estimates that spending on luxury leather bags, travel goods, and men’s and women’s small leather items, was worth $1.46 billion in 2016, with this rising to $1.84 billion in 2020.

Much of the region’s leather industry revolves around the Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia and the UAE; according to EMI, tanned and dressed leather production in Saudi was worth $367 million in 2016, while UAE consumers spent $473.9 million in 2016 on luxury leather goods, with this set to rise to $586.7 million in 2020.