Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Central African Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in the Central African Republic expanded from 11 875 t in 2018 to 12 350 t in 2020. This growth occurred despite persistent transhumance-related conflicts between herders and farmers, which pressured the cattle sector. However, the government's 2018-2023 resilience strategy aimed at improving security and managing livestock conflicts, coupled with the 2020 Pact for Food and Agriculture which specifically targeted reviving cattle production, provided a foundation for gradual market increase.

After reaching 12 555 t in 2021, the market experienced a slight contraction to 12 456 t in 2022. This dip aligned with continued armed conflicts where cattle were used as a financing source by armed groups, disrupting herd availability. Recovery followed in 2023, with volume rising to 12 624 t, as calls from the World Bank for profound reforms to revitalize the underdeveloped agricultural and livestock sector highlighted the urgency for investment and modernization.

Throughout the period, the market relied on a largely traditional, low-yield cattle rearing system dominated by nomadic Mbororo and Fulani pastoralists. The regional livestock market, notably the Ticket-Foumban corridor to Cameroon, played a significant role in channeling Central African cattle, especially after security improvements and the lifting of sanitary barriers facilitated cross-border trade.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Central African Republic

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

In Central African Republic, the production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 12 378 tonnes, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11 929 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 0.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central African Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Central African Republic

Exports in kind, kg

Export volumes showed considerable instability during this period. The highest point was in 2018, with 53 950 kg exported, while the lowest was in 2019 at just 6 000 kg—a ninefold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports rebounded sharply to 28 000 kg, representing a massive 366.7% surge compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 88.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central African Republic in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria was the dominant destination for Central African Republic's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, accounting for 72.8% of the total volume. All other countries held much smaller shares individually.

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

World map of product's exports from Central African Republic in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Export values were highly volatile over these years. The peak was in 2018 at 14 622 US dollars, and the trough was in 2019 at 597 US dollars—a 24-fold fluctuation between these extremes. In 2020, exports surged to 7 927 US dollars, an increase of 1,227.0% from the previous year. The steepest decline happened in 2019, with a drop of 95.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central African Republic in value, 2017-2020, $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, Nigeria accounted for 82.8% of the total export value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Central African Republic. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Central African Republic in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Central African Republic

According to market data, Central African Republic did not import any raw bovine and equine hides and skins from 2017 to 2020.