2025 FORECASTS
Published: 22nd Nov 2024
By common consent, 2024 has been a difficult year for almost all businesses, organisations, government departments and people in the SA leather value chain. The main exceptions would have been successful exporters, because the domestic market has been getting poorer year after year. The underlying reasons are mostly to do with the policies and performance of domestic government. The many global problems have lesser or less direct impacts – except for shipping issues from China, which have a very direct impact.
However, there are some signs that 2025 could be better, our respondents say…
- SAFLIA: Hopefully the slide will be reversed
Durban, KZN, SA – My forecast for 2024 is that production will be 12.5% down on last year. Meaning 41,690,000 pairs.The last time we saw such low volumes was in 2007.My forecast for next year is that production will be stabilised at the same level as this year – let’s say 42,000,000 pairs. However, with some serious inte ...moreThe Road Ahead: A forecast for South Africa’s footwear and leather goods industries
Durban, KZN, SA – The South African footwear and leather goods industries are navigating a challenging yet potentially transformative period. Shaped by a mix of longstanding hurdles and emerging opportunities, their future remains uncertain as the global market continues to shift rapidly in the wake of COVID-19. While difficulties p ...moreAMSA: ‘Perturbing trend’ in imports
Durban, KZN, SA – As the economy still seems to be precariously poised due to various exogenous variables, I remain very cautious about looking into the future.The formal sector of the economy has not fared well in terms of employment as measured by Clothing Industry Bargaining Council figures (see attached chart).It appears that th ...moreNCRF: ‘A very complicated stew’
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – The NCRF has 10 members with very different approaches to all sorts of things, so a forecast is difficult.We’re keeping an eye on factors including reduced interest rates, the two-pot retirement system, and political outcomes, and there is a degree of optimism, but I’m not willing to attach any f ...more
Footwear Industry Articles
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Can someone with 32 years at a company bring the bold, disruptive change needed to turn it around? Nike’s Elliott Hill is that man; he spent that amount of time at Nike before retiring — only to return as CEO on October 14, 2024. While his deep experience provides stability, it may also lead to an overreliance on past strategi ...moreThe key to a long life - a zest for living
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Leather Industry Articles
- European Commission Confirms Country Risk Classification in preparation for EUDR
Ahead of the legal deadline of 30th June 2025, the European Commission has adopted the Implementing Act on the Country Benchmarking System under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), effective from 22nd May 2025. This regulatory step is a pivotal development in the EU’s ongoing environmental strategy, aiming to curb deforestation linked to commodity imports. ...moreEthiopia’s Modjo Leather Manufacturing Hub aims to boost exports
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (12 April 2025) – The Modjo state-of-the art leather manufacturing facility and a renovated satellite laboratory are intended to spearhead Ethiopia's leather industry and foster sustainable employment opportunities.The project is a collaborative initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by t ...moreWorld Leather Day… - Sam Setter's 'Pills': For readers who need some wry medicinal humourLeather Naturally again promoted World Leather Day, and luckily for its members they provided a social media kit, which people could use for participating in the promotion. Like last year this initiative is not a global leather industry initiative but a promotional action by LN, supported by LWG and SLF as described in the mentioned &ldqu ...more
PPE Industry Articles
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The subject of Respirator Personal Protective Equipment is confusing until one understands the basic concept requirements.OHS Act defines Respiratory Protective Equipment as a device which is worn over at least the mouth and nose to prevent the inhalation of air borne hazardous chemical substances and which is of a type or conforms to a s ...moreBeier Group, Department of Higher Education and SETA ‘better together’
Pinetown, KZN, SA – The Beier Group, which includes the BBF Safety Group, in December hosted the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) and the FP&M SETA for an oversight visit to ensure that state funds are being used in accordance with the Sectoral Skills Plan.DHET deputy minister Dr Mimmy Martha Gondwe and SETA ...moreThe recipe for success and safety - the strategic value of ISO 22000 certification in the food industry
Durban, KZN, SA (08 January 2025) – In today's increasingly globalised food industry, consumer trust and product safety is everything, but businesses must go beyond mere compliance and strive for excellence to thrive in this competitive context. ISO 22000 certification offers a strategic solution to achieve these goals, providing th ...more
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