The China International Leather Exhibition (ACLE) will be held from September 1–3, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. As China’s only international professional leather exhibition, ACLE has long evolved beyond a gathering place for tanneries, becoming an indispensable “super sourcing hub” for premium home furnishing and furniture brands.

Over the years, numerous renowned domestic and international home furnishing and furniture brands have attended ACLE for sourcing and market research. The frequent presence of these industry leaders at ACLE sends a very clear message: China’s furniture market holds enormous potential, and securing market share requires strong connections with high-quality supply chains.

The Strong Foundations of China’s Leather and Furniture Industries.

China’s Furniture Industry Continues to Attract Global Buyers

As one of the world’s leading manufacturing hubs for finished leather and furniture, China continues to demonstrate strong momentum in domestic consumption while maintaining a leading position in international trade. The industry’s fundamentals remain solid and resilient.

Leather Furniture Enters a New Growth Phase

In 2025, the cumulative retail sales of furniture products by enterprises above the designated size reached RMB 209.19 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.6%. This growth rate significantly exceeded the 2.8% recorded in 2023 and 3.6% in 2024, reaching the highest level in the past three years.

According to the latest industry data from Grand View Research, China’s leather home décor and furniture market is expanding steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, with genuine leather remaining the preferred material among premium brands. Meanwhile, fixed-asset investment in China’s furniture manufacturing industry increased by 1.5% year-on-year from January to December 2025, indicating continued positive momentum in industry investment.

China Maintains Its Position as a Global Supply Hub

China’s status and manufacturing capacity as a major global furniture exporter remain firmly established. In 2025, the cumulative export value of China’s furniture industry reached USD 67.81 billion. With a market share exceeding 30% of global furniture exports—including major leather furniture and upholstered furniture categories—China continues to rank first worldwide.

From the perspective of export destinations, the United States remained China’s largest single export market, accounting for 22.7% of total furniture exports, followed by the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, South Korea, Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore. At the same time, exports of supply-chain materials and semi-finished products to Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam and Indonesia are experiencing rapid growth.

Source: China National Furniture Association, 2025 China Furniture Industry Economic Performance Report and 2025 Furniture Import and Export Report.

Breaking Through the Supply Chain from Leather to Finished Products

As global consumers place increasingly stringent demands on product quality and environmental performance, China’s upholstered and leather furniture industry is undergoing a profound transformation centered on materials innovation and supply-chain upgrading.

For mature markets such as Europe and North America, the competitiveness of modern leather furniture increasingly begins at the raw-material stage. The China International Leather Exhibition serves as a critical platform that connects the entire value chain—from a single hide to a luxury leather sofa—providing essential support for industry upgrading.

Meeting the World’s Highest Environmental Standards

The exhibition showcases cutting-edge solutions including chrome-free tanning, water-based coatings, and bio-based materials, directly addressing the stringent environmental and sustainability requirements of major markets in Europe, North America, and Japan.

Smart Manufacturing Enhances Efficiency and Reduces Costs

Beyond a vast selection of leather materials, the exhibition also features advanced technologies covering the entire production process, including CAD cutting systems, intelligent digital quality inspection, and high-precision machinery. These innovations help furniture manufacturers improve efficiency and optimize costs from leather processing to finished-product manufacturing.

Diverse Material Solutions for Every Market Segment

From full-grain leather to high-performance microfiber and environmentally friendly synthetic materials, the exhibition offers a comprehensive sourcing platform that supports product lines ranging from luxury customization to value-oriented mass-market offerings.

China’s furniture industry will continue accelerating its transition toward branding, sustainability, and premium development, further strengthening its influence and competitiveness within the global industrial landscape.

Whether your goal is to capture opportunities arising from China’s consumption upgrade or to expand your presence in international markets, the China International Leather Exhibition is an event not to be missed.

June 8, 2026

Source: China Leather Industry Association (China Leather)