Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Madagascar's large cattle and small ruminant herd provided a substantial raw material base for hide production. The following year, the suspension of meat and live cattle exports sharply reduced hide shipments abroad, redirecting supply to the domestic market and lifting market volume to 4 954 t. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations, causing production to drop and pulling market size down to 4 099 t.

Production continued to decline through 2021 and 2022, reaching 3 400 t, despite ongoing efforts to improve animal breeds and health supported by international partners. During this period, a key development was the inauguration of an internationally-standard slaughterhouse by Sino-Malagasy Animal Husbandry (SMAH) in 2022, which laid the groundwork for future export recovery. Concurrently, the company Bonne Viande de Madagascar (Bovima) launched a livestock diversification project involving artificial insemination and feedlot creation.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, with volume jumping to 4 231 t. This recovery was driven by investments in breeding improvements, notably the launch of an artificial insemination program using Limousine genetics to address declining zebu weights and enhance hide quality. Public consultations on resuming beef exports and local meat shortages further influenced sector dynamics, supporting internal processing activity.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Madagascar

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

Madagascar produced 4 452 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in 2020, representing a 16.2% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.9%. The only year with growth was 2019, when production increased by 1.1%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Madagascar

Exports in kind, t

Madagascar's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 355 tonnes, a slight drop of 2.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports plummeted by 88.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -50.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Nigeria, and Indonesia were the main destinations for Madagascar's raw bovine and equine hides and skins exports by volume. China accounted for 41.6% of exports, Nigeria for 25.8%, and Indonesia for 15.8%. Together, these three countries made up 83.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Madagascar's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 208 thousand US dollars, a gradual decrease of 9.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 85.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -47.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Nigeria, and Indonesia remained the primary markets for Madagascar's raw bovine and equine hides and skins exports by value. China held 41.8% of export value, Nigeria 34.7%, and Indonesia 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 86.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Madagascar

Imports in kind, t

Madagascar's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins showed significant fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 9.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 tonnes, a sharp decline of 54.6% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 312.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and France were the leading suppliers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Madagascar by volume, together accounting for 43.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Madagascar's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms experienced volatile changes. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 10.7-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 1 thousand US dollars, an abrupt reduction of 89.8% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 11 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 237.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, China, and Belgium were the key suppliers for Madagascar's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins by value, collectively taking 50.9% of total import flows.

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

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