Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Africa expanded from 983 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 106 thousand tonnes in 2023. This growth occurred despite early challenges noted in 2018, including a downturn in the German automotive leather sector, which reduced demand for leather upholstery, and a decline in sheep numbers due to predators and theft, tightening supply of sheep skins. However, local tanneries continued processing wet salted hides into finished leather or 'wet blue' for export, supporting production volumes.

After a peak in 2020 driven by a surge in imports to 110 thousand tonnes, the market contracted in 2021 to 1 020 thousand tonnes as imports fell sharply to 46 thousand tonnes. Production remained stable above 1 000 thousand tonnes throughout the period, reaching 1 046 thousand tonnes in 2023. The implementation of the CTFL Masterplan later in the period boosted investment and export activity, contributing to the steady rise in production and market size.

By 2024, factors such as load-shedding and energy supply issues began affecting production, but festive season demand supported beef prices, indirectly influencing hides and skins supply. Additionally, proposed export taxes on raw hides and skins and enhanced food safety regulations introduced new dynamics, while global trends toward bio-based leather alternatives emerged without yet dominating the local market.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2017-2020

Africa's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the continent produced 995 K t, which is 1.7% lower than the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 012 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Africa's production value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 684 M $ US, marking a 27.5% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 39.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 23.1 K t and peaked in 2020 at 46.9 K t, representing a two-fold difference. In 2020, Africa exported 46.9 K t of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, a significant increase of 102.6% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 32.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind remained fragmented, with no single country dominating. China accounted for 17.0% of exports, Turkey for 8.9%, and Italy for 6.4%, together making up just 32.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Africa's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 32 246 K $ US, up by 49.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 26.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 604 K $ US, and the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 35.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Italy, and Turkey were the top buyers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Africa in value terms, with shares of 13.6%, 10.7%, and 8.1%, respectively. However, their combined contribution was only 32.4% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in kind rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 110.3 K t, a sharp increase of 183.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 903.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 115.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Lebanon accounted for 5.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 5.0%, and Slovenia for 4.9%, together representing 15.0% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 85.0%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Africa's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 79 870 K $ US, a steep rise of 92.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 216.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 46.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Africa were sourced from a broad range of markets. Slovenia accounted for 6.8% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 5.4%, and Lebanon for 4.8%, together totaling only 16.9% of total imports, while many smaller destinations contributed the remaining 83.1%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020