According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, Bangladesh's leather footwear exports declined by nearly 26% from July to May in the 2023-24 financial year, while non-leather footwear exports increased by almost 7%.

The decline in leather footwear exports was attributed to global consumption shifts and environmental compliance issues in the tannery sector.

Leather footwear exports fell to $477.24 million, while non-leather footwear exports rose to $463.33 million.

President of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Bangladesh, Md Saiful Islam, highlighted the global economic slowdown and lower non-leather footwear prices as reasons for the shift in demand. He also emphasised the importance of obtaining Leather Working Group certification for global competitiveness.

Overall leather and leather goods exports declined by 14.17% to $961.49 million.