Leather is the material of choice for most bags, shoes, clothing, accessories, and even furniture. It has stood the test of time and has come to be accepted as a luxury material.
But not everyone knows that it comes in different types depending on where it’s sourced. So, where do you source your leather for garment and accessories manufacturing?
First, you need to identify your needs and wants. Will it be used for work or play? Do you want something that will last a lifetime or just until your next paycheck?
This blog post will give you a brief overview of six countries offering quality leather, namely Turkey, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, and India. We’ll also look into their advantages and disadvantages and what each has to offer.
We’ll also dig deeper into how Deepwear can help you decide which country would work best for your leather items. We can also guide you in choosing the perfect leather goods manufacturer.
So keep reading for some valuable insights!
Leather in Turkey
The leather industry is a major sector in Turkey, with many tanneries located around Bursa, Isparta, and Konya. Not only is the country a top centre of leather production, but the leather’s quality makes it a more popular choice. Turkey’s leather is produced from sustainable sources, and only the finest natural resources are used.
For example, raw material like lambskin is obtained from naturally-bred sheep. And when turned into a jacket, it can be very light and has a natural resistance to the cold. It develops a dense, warm feeling on the body. Turkey also has a large workforce used to working with leather material from generations ago, and it has built up a large market for its products through exports.
This allows them to manufacture unique leather products while maintaining exceptional standards. And that’s why leather manufacturing in Turkey has reached the same level of luxurious quality over time as Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish leather but at a better price.
You might be wondering, yes, leather garments in Turkey could be great for my brand. But how can I access and control the suppliers if I am not in the country?
The answer is simple: Find a reputable supplier. There are a lot of companies that can help source your Turkish leather. However, it’s best to choose a company with a strong relationship with wholesale leather suppliers in Turkey.
And as an agency with a strong network of leather manufacturers in Turkey, we at Deepwear Turkey are committed to supplying your fashion brand with the finest leathers and the best factories for leather accessories and leather garments that Turkey has to offer.
Furthermore, Deepwear has an entire team in Turkey that can assist you in the overall sourcing for all parts of the leather lifecycle, from purchasing, production, and quality control. Click here to help you find the best leather suppliers in Turkey at the best possible conditions and prices.
Leather in Morocco
Morocco is noted for its leather products. And Morocco’s strongest point is when it comes to its artisans. Considering that the country has a long tradition of working with leather for small productions and workshops, and is very skilled at it. They used animal skins to make coats, bags, shoes, and belts.
The Moroccan leather industry has been growing since 1990, and exports have more than doubled. The reason for this is its luxurious properties, sturdy qualities, and the demand for sustainability and artisans.
High-quality Moroccan leathers are made with all-natural materials such as vegetable tanning agents and tree oils such as mimosa or acacia. These ingredients give the leather its softness and flexibility while preserving its durability.
There are also some things to keep in mind. First, leather in Morocco can be costly. The leather itself in the country is cheap. However, what makes it expensive is the labor involved in handcrafting the leather. This means more involvement of the quality control team to monitor every step of production and final check before shipment to ensure that all products meet the high standard of Moroccan craftsmen.
Another thing to remember is Morocco’s techniques, and technical and industrial production processes are still developing and are less advanced than those in other countries like Turkey. Moroccans are more into handmade work.
And the imperial city of Fez has been the center of the world’s great craft hubs and the largest tannery in Morocco.
Nevertheless, The Moroccan leather sector has a high reputation thanks to its skilled and creative craftsmen.
And to guide you in choosing your Moroccan leather, Deepwear is proud to provide expert advice and a large network of artisans in the leather industry.
In addition, we have a physical office in Casablanca. This allows us to visit Moroccan’s skilled workers, talk with them and understand their processes. This also enables us to be updated with the state of production. And since Morocco has its own local tanneries, leathers can be hand-selected by our local leather specialists team in Morocco. To learn more, reach out to us today!
Leather in Spain
Spain is excellent for its leather. It is recognized as the leading manufacturer of leather goods in Europe, especially in producing leather pieces like shoes and bags. And the country has many places where such items are crafted at their best.
For instance, Ubrique is renowned for its rich leather production. While the city of Córdoba is popular for its tanning and embossing methods, and Valverde De Camino is known for its high-quality Spanish leather boots that motorcyclists favor for their toughness.
On the other hand, Alicante is famous for its exquisite leather goods, which are made from cowhides supplied by regional ranchers. And Spanish leather is usually made from cowhide. This is because cowhide provides much more flexibility and can be easily formed into any shape or design. And the leather undergoes a three-step process for tanning: chromium sulfate or chrome tanning (to make it soft), vegetable tanning (for coloring), and oiling (to give it shine). After this process, it is treated with various neatsfoot oil and mineral waxes to achieve its glossy look. Read more on The realistic perspective of working with Leather
This process has been passed on from generation to generation. Therefore, it is mastered to perfection.
The tanneries also use a chemical bath during the treatment process, making sure that the leather does not get damaged by water or exposure. This also ensures that our Spanish leather item stays in good condition even after years of use!
The disadvantage is that leather production in Spain can be expensive. This is because of the long and complex tanning process. But there are many ways to achieve top-quality finishing while being cost-effective. One way is collaborating with a reputable fashion sourcing company like Deepwear. Deepwear will help you find the right leather supplier to meet your price points and quality requirements. And we do that by having a hands-on team present in Mallorca and Malaga.
Therefore, we can follow up on the full production management and quality control. And at Deepwear we are rethinking how fashion is developed, sourced, and sold. Our model is simple, effective, and profitable. We stop sitting around waiting for production to finish in the far east and start working with factories closer to home.
Leather in Portugal
After Spain, Portugal is considered Europe’s second foremost producer of commendable leather.
Portugal is well-established for its leather craftsmanship. The country’s location has allowed for the development of multiple skills in leatherworking. And you will find the best leather manufacturers in the northern region of Portugal.
The small town of Alcanena, also known as the ‘Land of Leather,’ is a great example of this. This town has been recognized for its production of world-class shoes since the 16th century. Here, you can find some amazing footwear that is made out of Portuguese leather.
Portugal also gives access to superior leather qualities, including sheepskin and suede, from Spain, France, Brazil, and Italy. The Portuguese have been trading with these countries for centuries, which has led to the development of their own distinct style of leather production.
Today, Portugal continues to be famous worldwide for its superior handmade leather goods.
So, if you want your leather goods to have a unique look and feel, then Deepwear is here to assist you! You’ll be able to work closely with our on-the-ground team of professionals in our very own office in Porto, Portugal. And the exciting part is that the work will be all on us. We can be in charge of the entire production process, covering each stage to provide attentive and on-time delivery, no matter the size of your products.
Leather in Thailand
Thailand is home to many international fashion brands with their own leather factories. Last year, the cost of the leather goods transported globally was estimated at around one billion U.S. dollars.
This is because Thailand’s geographical location makes it an ideal place for companies looking for a good balance of price and quality of manufacturing processes in Asia. But at the same time, easy access to European markets via air freight or sea freight.
Not only that, but Thailand is also one of the major manufacturers of exotic luxury leather in the world. And the most popular materials used by Thai brands are snakeskin, crocodile, and fish skin, such as heel and stingray.
Moreover, there are other reasons why people choose to use leather from Thailand.
Thailand has a high level of skills and expertise in this field. In fact, it has its standard for quality control and environmental protection. So you can trust the quality of leather products from here! And to make sure that you are getting genuine Thai leather products, it is best to find the right leather supplier first.
And we can help you with that! With our own team and office in Thailand, we make it easy to find a wholesale leather supplier by offering you access to our entire Thailand leather industry directory. To know more about how to ethically source leather factories, check out manufacturing leather products
Leather in India
India has different leather products, including finished, semi-finished, and raw materials. In fact, Chennai is known as the ‘Leather City’ of India due to an extensive number of leather goods manufacturers based there.
India has a rich tradition of handcrafted leather goods. Some of these items are still produced by skilled craftsmen who learned their trade as apprentices in workshops.
And in 2021, the country’s exportable surplus of raw hides, skins, and leather is approximately 450 million U.S. dollars. And India is one of the few countries where hides are processed into leather domestically – a major advantage for both buyers & sellers.
As a result, Indian leather products are generally cheaper than those from other countries. This has earned it a reputation among customers looking for value for money.
In addition to being cost-effective, Indian leather has also been eminent for its exceptional quality and longevity due to the traditional methods used to produce it. It is also a sustainable material, biodegradable, and easily recycled. For example, artisans from remote India are creating shoes from upcycled leather. The leather may come from older animals that die naturally. Or in other cases, it refers to vintage or reworked for further use than disposing into a landfill.
This makes it perfect for fashion brands and designers who want to incorporate sustainable practices into their design process.
Despite that, there are still some drawbacks that are worth considering when dealing with Indian leather. For instance, India doesn’t use cow leather. India has banned the slaughter of cows to protect its religious beliefs. And as an alternative, the country uses goat and lamb skins for its leather products.
And the quality of these skins varies depending on how they are treated and what part of their body they come from. Goat skins are generally more rigid than lamb skins, but neither have the same durability as cowhides. This could mean that your leather goods made out of this material may not last as long as you want them to.
Another drawback is the finishing of leather accessories in India has yet to attain the same level as other countries like Turkey, Portugal, and Spain. These countries use more modern techniques to meet international standards and advanced machinery to finish their products. This means that while Indian leather may be cheaper in price, it may not necessarily be better in quality than other countries.
However, when aiming for simple creations, you can get a good deal of value out of the Indian leather industry. And to work with Indian leather manufacturers, it is important to have a reliable team to help you with quality control and sourcing.
To know more about how to consciously create your leather goods, Get in touch with us. Deepwear has built a close relationship with India’s leather goods manufacturers, who share the same values and mission. Our team in India has a solid commitment to ethical and fair trade practices and environmental and social responsibility. We conduct laboratory tests and inspections to ensure that all our products are manufactured with regard to sustainability standards.
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Overall, leather is still one of the most sustainable materials available today because it’s durable, versatile, and has a long-lasting effect.
And these six countries are notable for producing superb leather products that customers prefer worldwide. Now you too can offer the same quality and craftsmanship at your brand or designs and make a name for yourself in this growing market. And Deepwear’s network of leather experts can work with you directly to first understand what you need as well as the markets that you want to explore.
Deepwear takes care of everything else – sourcing, testing, inspections, negotiation, transportation, quality control, production management, and delivery. We are proud of our leather providers and intend to give an extraordinary experience and service. Click here to learn more about how you can start sourcing with Deepwear.
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