According to Sakul Sikkasamat, president of the Thai Leather Association, exporters have started to target Europe and Japan rather than the US, and this strategy is likely to help them cope with lower demand from what was traditionally their strongest export destination. Mr Sikkasamat claims these alternative markets are willing to pay more for Thai leather and leathergoods than for similar goods from China and Vietnam because they are of a higher quality.

Thailand’s leather and leathergoods exports have reportedly fallen 15% this year.