Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Eastern Europe contracted from 136 thousand tons in 2018 to 59 thousand tons in 2022, before a modest recovery to 63 thousand tons in 2023. The initial decline coincided with a period of high profitability for exporting unprocessed hides, which encouraged sustained outward shipments and reduced domestic availability. Imports fell sharply after 2018, amplifying the supply tightening.

Regulatory measures played a key role: veterinary rules introduced in 2020 established stricter requirements for cattle keeping, affecting hide quality and supply chain transparency. From 2022 onward, Western sanctions curtailed exports to the European Union, while authorities opened new export destinations in Asia and other regions. Concurrently, a surge in live cattle exports limited the domestic raw material base for hide production.

The market adapted through continued imports from Kazakhstan and Belarus, and Belarus’s introduction of export licensing for raw hides in 2023 added a new layer of trade control. Despite persistent raw material shortages for leather processors, the phase-in of mandatory cattle labeling improved traceability and helped stabilize the market after several years of contraction.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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 Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins reached 136.1 thousand tons in 2020, showing a slight decline of 2.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 128.9 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 140.2 thousand tons. The most significant year-on-year increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 113.6 million US dollars, representing a sharp reduction of 26.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 47.4%, with an average annual decline rate of 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 94.7 thousand tons, marking a modest increase of 9.3% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 86.6 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 110.1 thousand tons. The most significant year-on-year decline was observed in 2019, when exports fell by 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Germany, and Austria were the main destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 33.3%, 12.3%, and 5.9% of total export volumes respectively. Together, these three countries represented 51.5% of all export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 79.0 million US dollars, indicating a strong decrease of 17.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 54.6%, with an average annual decline rate of 23.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Austria were the primary markets for exports in value terms, accounting for 44.0%, 12.9%, and 7.2% of total export value respectively. Together, these three countries absorbed 64.0% of all export value from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia).

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest level was recorded in 2020 at 36.0 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 117.2 thousand tons, representing a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports declined by 2.4% compared to the previous year. The most significant year-on-year decline was observed in 2019, when imports fell by 68.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 177.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, the partner portfolio for imports in kind was quite broad. Germany, Italy, and Austria accounted for 21.2%, 13.0%, and 12.3% of import volumes respectively, but together represented only 46.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values revealed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 166.9 million US dollars, representing a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 36.0 million US dollars, constituting a year-on-year drop of 17.8%. The most significant year-on-year decline was observed in 2019, when import value fell by 73.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 179.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. Germany, Austria, and Italy accounted for 27.5%, 8.9%, and 7.8% of import value respectively, but together represented only 44.2% of total flows. The remaining 55.8% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020