Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the European market for raw bovine and equine hides contracted sharply, with market volume falling from 1 730 тыс. т to 568 тыс. т. Production of hides also dropped from 1 587 тыс. т to 773 тыс. т over the same period.

The decline continued into 2022, with market size reaching a low of 477 тыс. т. The EU cattle herd had shrunk by 6% over five years, and beef slaughter fell by 2.45% in 2022, limiting the supply of raw hides. In 2023, the market rebounded to 632 тыс. т, supported by increased imports as the global beef market saw higher exports from Australia, Argentina, and India. EU beef production kept declining, which further constrained domestic hide output.

By 2024, trade data indicated a further tightening, with imports falling to 797 тыс. т and exports rising to 1 244 тыс. т. A persistent shortage of young cattle in key producing countries like France, Italy, and Spain squeezed raw hide supply. Moreover, the valuation of raw hides had plummeted by 40% over six years, pressured by international competition and weak demand.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Europe

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

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production levels fluctuated considerably, with the highest output recorded in 2018 at 1 587 K t and the lowest in 2019 at 910 K t, representing a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 42.7%, while 2018 experienced the biggest increase of 73.6%. By 2020, production in Europe reached 961 K t of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, marking a 5.6% rise from the previous year.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe exported 1 161 K t of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, reflecting a modest year-over-year decrease of 4.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 998 K t, which saw the largest decline of 19.4%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the most significant increase of 21.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins reached a diverse range of buyers. China accounted for 14.2% of exports in kind, Ghana for 1.1%, and Indonesia for 1.0%, with these three countries together contributing 16.3% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares in the export portfolio.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 038 M $ US, representing a 22.6% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 52.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 22.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China emerged as the leading destination for Europe's exports in value terms, accounting for 11.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 833 K t, down 11.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.1%, with a CAGR of -3.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 141 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 21.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.4%.

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

The country composition of Europe's imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. Switzerland accounted for 1.7% of imports, Norway for 1.2%, and the United States for 1.1%, with these three countries together forming just 4.0% of total import flows. The remaining 96.0% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 869 M $ US, showing a steep 28.9% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 56.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 24.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for Europe's imports in value terms was broad. Switzerland accounted for 3.5% of imports, Norway for 1.6%, and the United States for 1.4%, with these three countries together forming only 6.4% of total import flows. A substantial 93.6% was supplied by many other countries.

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

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