Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

Production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Cuba declined from 13.7 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 9.6 thousand tonnes in 2020. This drop was driven by a collapse in global leather prices, which made exports unprofitable, and increased competition from imported footwear that reduced demand for natural hides, shifting the market toward synthetic alternatives.

The market rebounded in 2021–2022, with production rising to 13.3 thousand tonnes. This recovery was supported by the state's introduction of maximum purchase prices for live cattle, which aimed to regulate supply, and the enactment of the Law on the Promotion and Development of Livestock, which established a legal framework to stimulate sustainable cattle farming and required registration of livestock, bolstering raw material availability.

Output fell again to 10.8 thousand tonnes in 2023 following the update of regulations for agricultural cooperatives, which altered operational frameworks in the sector. The domestic market volume mirrored these shifts, ending the period at 9.8 thousand tonnes, influenced by the interplay of external price pressures and evolving state policies on livestock and agricultural marketing.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Cuba

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

Cuba's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 579 tonnes, which represents an 11.3% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 714 tonnes, which was a 6.6% increase from the previous year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 21.2%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

Cuba's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins have also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 595 tonnes, marking a dramatic 65.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports plummeted by 79.5%, with an average annual decline of 41.0%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 3 923 tonnes, which represented a 35.4% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico was the largest destination for Cuba's exports in kind, accounting for 56.2% of the total. Nigeria followed with 18.0%, and Italy with 13.4%. Together, these three countries made up 87.6% of all exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cuba's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 77 thousand US dollars, reflecting an abrupt 74.3% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 93%, which equates to an average annual decline of 58.7%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Mexico was the leading market for Cuba's exports, accounting for 56.2% of the total. Italy followed with 15.7%, and Nigeria with 15.0%. Combined, these three markets represented 86.8% of all export flows in value during this period.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Cuba

According to industry studies, Cuba did not import any raw bovine and equine hides and skins from 2017 to 2020.