India’s leather and footwear industry is expected to receive a significant boost from recently concluded and upcoming Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), with exports projected to reach US$14 billion by 2030, according to the Council for Leather Exports (CLE). The industry believes that improved market access and lower tariff barriers will enhance India’s competitiveness in key international markets and support long-term export growth.
The implementation of trade agreements with major economies, including the United Kingdom and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), along with ongoing negotiations with the European Union and other trading partners, is expected to create new opportunities for Indian manufacturers and exporters. Reduced import duties under these agreements will make Indian leather products and footwear more competitive in overseas markets, enabling exporters to expand their customer base and increase shipments.
Industry representatives say the FTAs will benefit a wide range of products, including leather footwear, handbags, garments, saddlery, travel goods, and leather accessories. Greater market access is also expected to encourage investments in modern manufacturing, product innovation, and sustainable production practices, helping Indian companies meet evolving global quality and environmental standards.
The leather and footwear sector is one of India’s major employment generators, supporting millions of workers across manufacturing clusters in states such as Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, and Haryana. Export growth driven by FTAs is expected to create additional employment opportunities, particularly in labour-intensive segments of the industry.
According to the CLE, India’s leather and footwear exporters are well positioned to capitalise on rising global demand as buyers increasingly diversify sourcing destinations. Improved trade preferences under FTAs are expected to strengthen India’s position against competing manufacturing hubs while attracting greater foreign investment into the sector.
Industry stakeholders have also called for continued policy support to improve logistics, reduce compliance costs, strengthen design capabilities, and enhance technology adoption. Such measures, combined with expanded market access through FTAs, are expected to help India achieve its export target of US$14 billion by the end of the decade.
With global supply chains undergoing significant realignment, the leather and footwear industry sees FTAs as a key driver for expanding India’s export footprint, increasing value-added manufacturing, and reinforcing the country’s position as a leading supplier in the international leather goods market.
