Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Bangladesh expanded gradually, reaching 37 013 t. This growth was supported by the government's prioritization of livestock development, which increased the availability of raw materials for the leather industry. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 causing temporary supply chain disruptions and reduced global demand, the market recovered partly in 2021 as international demand for leather products, particularly footwear, strengthened. During this period, larger tanneries adopted modern technologies and quality certifications, enhancing production efficiency.

In 2022, the market volume stabilized at 36 977 t. This was primarily due to emerging constraints in the livestock supply chain, including reduced grazing land and a decrease in cattle supplies from India, which limited raw material availability. Simultaneously, the leather sector experienced significant export growth, reaching a ten-year high in value, which began to redirect production away from the domestic market. Regulatory pressures for improved effluent treatment and environmental compliance continued to shape industry practices.

The market contracted sharply in 2023 to 32 872 t, an 11% drop from the previous year. This was driven by a surge in exports, which exceeded 4 000 t, significantly reducing domestic supply. Ongoing raw material shortages from pasture reduction and diminished Indian cattle imports further strained production. Despite these challenges, the industry focused on innovation, such as developing biodegradable materials through international collaborations, and maintained efforts toward sustainable tanning processes to meet global standards.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

Bangladesh's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 36 069 tonnes, representing a 0.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Bangladesh exported 211.3 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, a dramatic increase of 2 241.1% compared to 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Myanmar were the primary export partners for Bangladesh in terms of volume, together accounting for 91.3% of total exports. The remaining 8.7% went to other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Bangladesh's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins reached 436 thousand US dollars, up 274.3% from 2017.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and China were the leading export destinations in value terms, jointly making up 83.6% of total export value. Other markets accounted for the remaining 16.4%.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 705.5 tonnes, a 12.7% decrease from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 808.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 75.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, India, and Italy were the main sources of imports by volume, contributing 30.0%, 29.1%, and 26.5% respectively. Together, these three countries represented 85.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms was highly volatile over these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 22-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, imports amounted to 265 thousand US dollars, a 71.2% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 155 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 91.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Asia (not elsewhere specified), Japan, and Hong Kong were the primary sources of imports by value, accounting for 38.3%, 14.1%, and 12.6% respectively. Combined, these three regions made up 65.0% of total import value for raw bovine and equine hides and skins into Bangladesh.

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

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