A new edition of the Leatherbiz Market Intelligence newsletter became available for subscribers to read on January 16.

This time, the report highlights a surprisingly positive mood among buyers of raw material in China. This seems to reflect optimism there about demand for the second quarter of 2024.

This contrasts with the situation in Europe. Market Intelligence says that, owing to the fall in energy costs and a simultaneous rise in wages, incomes in many parts of Europe have risen in real terms. However, it adds that “the positive underlying psychological mood that encourages people to consume is lacking in a large part of the continent”.

It argues that a “possibly unjustified fear of a loss of prosperity” could be causing consumers to refrain from spending. The report says this is certainly affecting the leather products sector disproportionately.