Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the domestic market for raw bovine hides expanded slightly, reaching 482 thousand tons, supported by rising beef output from cattle slaughter. However, in 2020, the government's temporary elimination of export duties on untanned hides through Decree 812/20 made overseas shipments more profitable. This triggered a surge in exports, which nearly quadrupled to 94 thousand tons, pulling the market size down to 418 thousand tons despite production growth.

Exports remained elevated in 2021, further contracting domestic availability to 370 thousand tons. The market rebounded in 2022 to 422 thousand tons as disruptions in global leather trade, particularly from China, weakened international demand and curtailed Argentine shipments. By 2023, the definitive removal of export duties and barriers under Resolution 537/1992 unleashed a new wave of exports, which jumped to 144 thousand tons. Consequently, the market shrank again to 387 thousand tons, even though production climbed to 532 thousand tons on higher cattle slaughter.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Argentina ranked as the 5th largest producer of raw bovine and equine hides and skins between 2017 and 2020.

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

Argentina's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 512.3 thousand tons, representing a 1.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with an 8.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina exported 94 294 tons of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, a 274.0% surge compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Thailand, and Turkey were the main export markets for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms. China accounted for 54.5% of exports, Thailand for 8.2%, and Turkey for 7.5%, together making up 70.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility over the observed timeframe. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 12 981 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 28 735 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 2.2-fold variation. In 2020, Argentina's export value reached 23 861 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 83.8% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 54.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 116.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Thailand, and Portugal were the principal destinations for exports in value terms. China represented 46.1% of exports, Thailand 12.9%, and Portugal 8.0%, collectively accounting for 67.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 7.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins totaled 69 tons, representing an abrupt drop of 86.4% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay and the United States were the primary sources for imports in volume terms, together accounting for 17.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their minimum in 2018 and their maximum in 2017, varying by a factor of 8.6. In 2020, Argentina imported approximately 47 thousand US dollars worth of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, which was 88.4% lower than the previous year.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States and Uruguay remained the key destinations for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 12.4% of total import flows.

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

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