Oct 25, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: MENA – Apparel Of Leather Or Of Composition Leather – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The MENA leather apparel market is projected to grow slightly over the next decade, with volume expected to reach 12 million units and value to reach $900 million by 2035, driven by rising demand. In 2024, consumption stood at 11 million units, valued at $721 million, reflecting a slight decline from previous years. Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are the largest consumers, while Turkey is the dominant producer and exporter. Imports saw a volume increase but a value decrease, with Saudi Arabia being the largest importer by volume. The market has faced challenges, including a general decline in per capita consumption and production since 2013.
Key Findings
- Market forecast to grow to 12M units and $900M by 2035 with a +1.0% volume and +2.0% value CAGR
- Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt lead in consumption, accounting for 42% of the total market volume
- Turkey is the dominant producer and exporter, supplying 82% of the region’s exports
- Saudi Arabia is the largest importer by volume, with imports growing at a CAGR of +20.0%
- Import prices fell dramatically to $66 per unit, while export prices stood at $95 per unit
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for leather apparel in MENA, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 12M units by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $900M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
MENA’s Consumption of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather
Leather apparel consumption stood at 11M units in 2024, approximately equating the previous year’s figure. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a slight slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 when the consumption volume increased by 3.1% against the previous year. The volume of consumption peaked at 13M units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
The size of the leather apparel market in MENA fell to $721M in 2024, shrinking by -1.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $1.5B. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Iran (1.9M units), Saudi Arabia (1.3M units) and Egypt (1.3M units), together accounting for 42% of total consumption. Algeria, Turkey, Iraq, Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen, Morocco and Israel lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Israel (with a CAGR of +2.1%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Turkey ($99M), Saudi Arabia ($87M) and Iran ($81M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, with a combined 37% share of the total market. Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Iraq, Yemen and Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 46%.
Yemen, with a CAGR of +4.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of leather apparel per capita consumption in 2024 were Israel (39 units per 1000 persons), Saudi Arabia (36 units per 1000 persons) and Syrian Arab Republic (29 units per 1000 persons).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Israel (with a CAGR of +0.2%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.
Production
MENA’s Production of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather
In 2024, production of apparel of leather or of composition leather decreased by -3.6% to 11M units for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, production recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 4.6% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 13M units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, leather apparel production declined to $771M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 73% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $1.5B. From 2021 to 2024, production growth remained at a lower figure.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Iran (1.9M units), Turkey (1.8M units) and Egypt (1.3M units), with a combined 45% share of total production. Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iraq, Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Yemen (with a CAGR of +1.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.
Imports
MENA’s Imports of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather
In 2024, approx. 921K units of apparel of leather or of composition leather were imported in MENA; picking up by 41% on the previous year. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The volume of import peaked at 1.4M units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, leather apparel imports shrank to $61M in 2024. In general, imports, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $129M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
Saudi Arabia was the major importing country with an import of about 307K units, which recorded 33% of total imports. Qatar (149K units) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the United Arab Emirates (144K units), Turkey (96K units) and Iraq (51K units). All these countries together held near 48% share of total imports. The following importers – Kuwait (37K units) and Israel (35K units) – each accounted for a 7.9% share of total imports.
Saudi Arabia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the apparel of leather or of composition leather imports, with a CAGR of +20.0% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Qatar (+6.2%), Iraq (+5.6%) and Kuwait (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Israel (-6.4%), the United Arab Emirates (-7.6%) and Turkey (-9.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait increased by +30, +10, +3.3 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively.
In value terms, the largest leather apparel importing markets in MENA were the United Arab Emirates ($23M), Turkey ($16M) and Kuwait ($4.8M), together comprising 71% of total imports. Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.
Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +22.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The import price in MENA stood at $66 per unit in 2024, declining by -36.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 when the import price increased by 19%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $104 per unit, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($164 per unit), while Saudi Arabia ($12 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
MENA’s Exports of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather
In 2024, overseas shipments of apparel of leather or of composition leather decreased by -12.2% to 1.3M units, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at 1.6M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, leather apparel exports shrank rapidly to $127M in 2024. In general, exports showed a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when exports increased by 15%. The level of export peaked at $208M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Turkey represented the key exporting country with an export of about 1.1M units, which amounted to 82% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tunisia (147K units), committing an 11% share of total exports. The following exporters – the United Arab Emirates (44K units) and Morocco (38K units) – each accounted for a 6.2% share of total exports.
Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the apparel of leather or of composition leather exports, with a CAGR of +1.3% from 2013 to 2024. Tunisia (-1.5%), the United Arab Emirates (-6.3%) and Morocco (-9.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Turkey increased by +12 percentage points.
In value terms, Turkey ($115M) remains the largest leather apparel supplier in MENA, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Morocco ($5.2M), with a 4.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 2.9% share.
In Turkey, leather apparel exports decreased by an average annual rate of -4.1% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Morocco (-6.7% per year) and Tunisia (-5.3% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The export price in MENA stood at $95 per unit in 2024, dropping by -7.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the export price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $154 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($135 per unit), while Tunisia ($25 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
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