Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Benin showed notable growth in volume from 2021 onward, reaching 21,204 t in 2023 after a period of relative stability between 2018 and 2020. This expansion was primarily fueled by a sharp rise in imports, which more than doubled from 5,232 t in 2020 to over 14,000 t by 2023. Domestic production also contributed to the larger market size in 2023, increasing to 7,049 t following a reported 9.3% growth in the national cattle herd that year, which made more raw material available for the hides sector.

The sustained increase in import volumes became a dominant feature of the market from 2021. In 2024, imports surged further to 33,223 t. This movement coincided with market factors such as the continued closure of borders by Niger, which disrupted the supply of live cattle and likely increased reliance on imported raw hides to meet industrial or processing demand. Additionally, the Beninese government's policy to end imports of frozen chicken and table eggs by the end of 2024, aimed at stimulating local livestock production, may have indirectly influenced trade dynamics in related animal by-product sectors.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Benin

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

Benin's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 7 042 tonnes, but then fell by 23.3% in 2020 to 5 402 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.6%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 19.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.9%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Benin

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Benin's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins amounted to 110 tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 89.3% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria was the leading destination for Benin's exports in kind, accounting for 73.6% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Benin's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins was recorded at 26.1 thousand US dollars, representing a significant drop of 90.1% from 2019.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Nigeria and China dominated Benin's export structure in value terms, together making up 98.7% of total flows. Other markets contributed only a small fraction.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Benin

Imports in kind, t

Benin's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins continued to rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 5 232 tonnes, showing a substantial increase of 48.1% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 132.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 32.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Togo and Burkina Faso were the primary sources for Benin's imports in kind of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, jointly representing 99.1% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 346.0 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to {value_last_year} thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 67.5% year-over-year. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 142.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo accounted for the majority of Benin's imports in value terms, with an 85.3% share. Other markets made up the remainder, forming a fragmented tail.

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

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