Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in China increased from 2.28 million tons in 2018 to 2.86 million tons in 2023. Growth from 2018 to 2020 was supported by an upstream oversupply of bovine hides, which lowered raw material costs and stimulated demand from leather processors. After a minor contraction in 2021 due to price volatility and shifting demand in the leather industry, the market stabilized in 2022 as weak international consumption affected footwear exports. A sharp rise followed in 2023, fueled by a recovery in domestic shoe production and growing use of chrome-free leather in automotive interiors.

In value terms, the market declined from $2.38 billion in 2018 to $1.94 billion in 2020, reflecting lower raw hide prices and reduced leather footwear output. It then rebounded to $2.89 billion by 2023, aided by higher production volumes and increasing demand for premium chrome-free leather products.

The industry saw structural shifts with the rise of chrome-free tanning, led by key manufacturers such as Yufeng Leather and Jiangsu Mingxin Xuteng Technology. Regulatory measures promoted cleaner production, chromium waste recycling, and the development of chrome-free tanning agents, reinforcing sustainability trends within the sector.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China held the top position globally in the production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins.

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

China's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,539 thousand tonnes, marking a slight increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins produced in China was 1,115 million US dollars, representing a significant decline of 19.1% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 7.9%, with an average annual decrease of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,110 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 1,379 million US dollars. The most substantial increase was seen in 2019, with a jump of 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from China

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, China exported 15 thousand tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, showing a sharp year-on-year increase of 26.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.2%, averaging 3.3% per year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 12 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 19.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea and Japan were the dominant markets for China's exports in volume terms, together accounting for 87.0% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, China's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 11 million US dollars, reflecting a modest rise of 1.5% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and South Korea dominated China's exports in value terms, jointly representing 85.5% of total flows, while other destinations had smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 1,081 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a substantial gain of 22.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 15.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 824 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Australia, and Canada were the main suppliers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to China in volume terms. The United States accounted for 44.2% of imports, Australia for 20.0%, and Canada for 8.3%, together comprising 72.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

China's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 834 million US dollars, down by 8.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 53.5%, with an average annual decline of 22.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Australia, and Canada were the primary suppliers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to China in value terms. The United States represented 49.1% of imports, Australia 15.6%, and Canada 9.0%, together making up 73.7% of total imports.

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

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