Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Kenya experienced a sharp expansion in 2019, with volume reaching 53 455 tonnes, a significant increase from 32 664 tonnes the previous year. This growth was driven by a surge in domestic production, which more than doubled from 32 525 tonnes in 2018 to 53 328 tonnes in 2019.

Following the 2019 peak, the market entered a period of volatility and overall contraction. Market volume fell to 40 860 tonnes in 2020 and saw modest recovery in 2021 before declining again to 33 742 tonnes in 2022, a level partly influenced by a major rise in export volumes which reduced domestic availability. The market stabilized around 35 196 tonnes in 2023, as increased exports continued to offset domestic production and imports.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Kenya

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

Kenya's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins increased for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, the country produced 39,563 tonnes, marking a 25.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 41.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 12.4%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 53,328 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 64.0% also occurring in that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Kenya's production value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins rose for two years before experiencing a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 21,265 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 18.8% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 76.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 20.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 26,188 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 47.4% also taking place in that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The export market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Kenya displayed notable volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 221 tonnes, which was a 79.9% decrease compared to 2019. The peak occurred in 2018 with 1,107 tonnes, resulting in a five-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The largest year-on-year increase of 4.9% was also recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the dominant destination for Kenya's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms, accounting for 70.1% of total exports. Other markets represented relatively smaller shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Kenya showed considerable volatility during these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 119 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 78.0% decline from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 605 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.1 times. The largest year-on-year increase of 32.3% also occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong was the leading destination for Kenya's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms, representing 70.5% of total export flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Kenya's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins decreased for two years before rebounding. In 2020, import volume reached 1,518 tonnes, showing a robust 23.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 26.7%, which equates to an average annual decrease of 9.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,229 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year decline of 39.8% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms were almost entirely concentrated on Rwanda, which accounted for 96.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Kenya's import value of raw bovine and equine hides and skins fell for two consecutive years before increasing. In 2020, imports were valued at 775 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial 15.1% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 60.5%, averaging an annual decline of 26.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 673 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year drop of 45.1% occurring in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Kenya's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms were highly concentrated on Rwanda, which represented 96.7% of total import flows.

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

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