Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Kazakhstan expanded from 41 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 49.5 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by an increase in cattle and horse populations, which enlarged the raw material base for hide production. During this period, a previously imposed export duty on raw hides, raised to €500 per ton, contributed to a shortage of leather resources, prompting processors to reduce output, yet overall market volume continued to rise.

In 2022, the market volume fell to 45.8 thousand tons, largely due to a sharp surge in exports of unprocessed hides to countries like Russia, which reduced domestic availability. The following year, the market stabilized at 45.5 thousand tons as a rise in cattle mortality further constrained the raw material supply, while continued mass exports of raw hides limited deep processing development.

By 2024, the government was drafting a comprehensive livestock development plan for 2026–2030, aiming to increase herd sizes and improve processing infrastructure, including the establishment of service-procurement centers for hides and wool. However, challenges persisted, such as the annual disposal of untreated hides and low domestic supply of light industry goods, highlighting ongoing inefficiencies in the raw hide utilization chain.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Kazakhstan

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

Kazakhstan's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 49 122 tonnes, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

Exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Kazakhstan have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1 498 tonnes, which represents a sharp decline of 35.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 478 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2018 at 29.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Kyrgyzstan dominated Kazakhstan's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms, together accounting for 99.9% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Kazakhstan's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 280.1 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 61.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 54.7%, with an average annual decrease of 23.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 817.5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 32.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Russia was the primary destination for Kazakhstan's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms, capturing 91.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

Kazakhstan's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 80 tonnes, indicating a substantial drop of 80.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports plummeted by 97.5%, with an average annual decline of 70.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms were entirely dependent on Russia, which supplied 100.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Kazakhstan's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 28.4 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 51.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 93.5%, with an average annual reduction of 59.7%.

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

In 2017-2020, Russia was the sole source for Kazakhstan's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total imports.

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

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