Photo: Frederico Martins
Bag: Leather Goods by Belcinto
From discreet ateliers to suppliers for the world’s largest fashion houses — this is the recent history of Portuguese leather goods, which have firmly secured a place on the international stage.
There are currently 123 companies in Portugal that specialise in leather goods and accessories, employing 4,063 people. Over the past decade, exports have nearly doubled, reaching close to 350 million euros by the end of 2024. France — and in particular its leading fashion brands — remains the main market (143 million euros in 2024), followed by Spain (91 million euros) and Italy (91 million euros).
“The quality of production, flawless finishes and customer service from the very first contact make a clear difference”, says Ivania Santos from Rufel.
Orlando Soares believes that: “The sector has evolved well. In practical terms, the business structure has undergone major changes in recent decades, with companies adapting to circumstances and positioning themselves according to their internal context and differentiating capabilities”. As a result: “A common thread has been a firm commitment to exports, whether through their own brands or private labels — the latter has been, in fact, the main driver of growth in the sector”. For the head of Marta Ponti: “The emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs, bringing fresh and ambitious concepts, was also key to this evolution”.
According to Orlando Soares: “Above all, the sector has shown strong management capabilities across the board — in industrial, commercial and logistical areas alike”.
A particularly striking recent development: “Has been the establishment of luxury brands within their own factories in Portugal, which in the long term could bring significant benefits — direct employment and training and technological development both within the industry and among its suppliers”, stresses Orlando Soares.
The: “Consistently high quality and reliability that customers and brands look for” are among the distinguishing features of Portuguese leather goods and accessories, according to Orlando Soares. He also highlights: “Great technical and logistical flexibility, allowing easy adaptation to the needs of each customer”.While: “The average size of production units is small, in many cases this can be an advantage for international brands”. Also significant: “Is Portugal’s geographic proximity to both Europe and North America”.
The head of Marta Ponti also notes that: “Portugal is well equipped in terms of communications, enjoys political stability and offers a welcoming climate — both in terms of its people and its weather. It also has a long-standing tradition of leather craftsmanship”. Finally, he stresses: “The presence of a cluster that provides access to cutting-edge technology and supports a socially responsible labour market”.
Ana Maria Vasconcelos, Vice-President of APICCAPS, confirms that: “The sector is growing and the outlook is very promising. The accumulated know-how, ongoing investment and responsiveness make Portugal a strong player in this sector”. At the same time: “Investments currently being made in areas such as automation and sustainability allow the sector to combine tradition with innovation — making it increasingly sought-after by leading international brands”.
