Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

Chile's production of raw bovine and equine hides grew from 29 694 t in 2018 to a peak of 33 276 t in 2020, while the domestic market volume shrank to 18 827 t that year as exports surged. Output then entered a sustained decline, falling to 27 943 t by 2023, with the market volume remaining below 21 000 t.

The post-2021 downturn in hide production was primarily driven by a 10% reduction in cattle slaughter numbers, which curtailed the supply of raw material. International trade disruptions and heightened domestic meat consumption following pension fund withdrawals further constrained hide availability, with Chile's beef export dependence on China influencing production levels. New sanitary requirements for hide imports implemented in 2022 also tightened market access.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2018-2021

World map of production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2018-2021

Chile's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined after two years of growth. In 2021, production reached 31 281 tonnes, marking a 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 33 276 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 7.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Chile

Exports in kind, t

The export market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Chile showed an unstable trend during the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, export volume was 10 280 tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 28.9% compared to 2020. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 14 450 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 100.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China, Italy, and Mexico were the key export partners for Chile's raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms. China accounted for 58.1% of exports, Italy for 15.9%, and Mexico for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 83.8% of Chile's total export flows in this category.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Chile's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 6 629 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial rise of 38.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 470 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, China, Italy, and Mexico formed the core of Chile's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms. China accounted for 46.0% of export value, Italy for 23.3%, and Mexico for 13.7%. Collectively, these three partners represented 83.1% of Chile's total export value in this sector.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Chile

Imports in kind, t

The import market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Chile displayed considerable volatility. Imports reached their highest level in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with an 885-fold difference between these years. In 2021, import volume reached 1 tonne, showing a sharp increase of 152.1% compared to 2020. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 0.4 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 98.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina and Brazil were the dominant sources for Chile's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 88.2% of Chile's total import flows in this category.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance for imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins into Chile showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their peak in 2018 and dropped to their lowest point in 2020, with a 74-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports amounted to {value_last_year} thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic increase of 255.5% compared to 2020. The minimum import value was recorded in 2020 at 7 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 93.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina remained the primary source for Chile's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms, accounting for 80.6% of total import value. Other destinations played a much smaller role in Chile's import structure for this product category.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021