Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The Namibian market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins entered a period of decline from 2018, with volume dropping from 3 712 t to 2 608 t by 2022. The most significant contraction occurred in 2020, when market size fell by 18% to 2 982 t.

This downward trend reversed abruptly in 2023, as the market expanded by 69% to reach 4 397 t. The rebound was fueled by a jump in domestic production, which climbed to 4 638 t that year.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Namibia

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

Namibia's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 781 tonnes, which represents a 20.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 32%, with an average annual decline rate of 12.1%.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at just 0.2 tonnes, then surged to their peak in 2017, representing a dramatic 367-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Namibia exported 47.7 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, marking a sharp increase of 496.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.7%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 5 214.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Nigeria were the primary markets for Namibia's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, together accounting for 99.1% of total export volumes. Other destinations played a relatively minor role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.4 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2017, with a 103-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Namibia's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins amounted to 3.7 thousand US dollars, representing a solid 14.5% increase over the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.0%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 797.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was the dominant buyer of Namibia's raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms, accounting for 85.3% of total export earnings. Other countries shared the remaining portion of exports.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 122.2 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, with a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Namibia imported 248.7 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, representing a sharp 103.6% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 78.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Namibia's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms, accounting for 92.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of contraction, Namibia's imports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins increased in 2020. The country imported 195.4 thousand US dollars worth of these products in 2019, which was the lowest value recorded during the period, then saw an abrupt rise of 61.4% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Over the full 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 67.6%, with an average annual decline rate of 31.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 64.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Namibia's imports in value terms remained heavily concentrated on South Africa, which accounted for 93.3% of total import flows.

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

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