Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Northern Africa experienced a sustained contraction in volume from 222.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 186.1 thousand tons in 2023. This decline was largely attributable to rising costs for energy and animal feed, coupled with prolonged outbreaks of livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, which reduced cattle herds and constrained the supply of raw hides.

Global cattle herd growth remained slow in 2022, further limiting hide availability. By 2023, a softer international beef market, driven by increased exports from Australia, Argentina, and India, altered protein trade flows into the region. Concurrently, policy shifts including Algeria's reopening to meat imports in 2023 and Morocco's authorization of red meat imports from the EU, US, and Australia in 2024 modified market access, potentially influencing the sourcing and trade of hides.

In value terms, the market fell from 237.9 million US dollars in 2018 to 166.8 million in 2023, reflecting both lower volumes and price pressures stemming from input cost inflation and changes in global beef supply dynamics.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Northern Africa

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

Northern Africa's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 206.4 thousand tons, marking a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 229.0 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 7.0% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Africa's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms has also decreased for two consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 157.5 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 13.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 240.7 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 24.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 14.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Northern Africa's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms rebounded in 2020. The export volume reached 14 395 tons, showing a significant increase of 45.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 27.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 873 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern Africa's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in volume terms were Nigeria, Turkey, and Spain. Nigeria accounted for 31.6% of exports, Turkey for 19.8%, and Spain for 3.9%. Together, these three countries represented 55.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Northern Africa's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms amounted to 10 984 thousand US dollars, up by 30.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 8 429 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 11 287 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 25.3% drop.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the three largest markets for Northern Africa's exports in value terms were Nigeria, Turkey, and India. Together, they accounted for 53.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Northern Africa showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 6 385 tons, representing a sharp decline of 50.7% from 2019. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 945 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 197.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of imports in volume terms for Northern Africa were Slovenia, Argentina, and Lebanon. Slovenia accounted for 39.1% of imports, Argentina for 7.6%, and Lebanon for 6.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 53.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Northern Africa were highly volatile between 2017 and 2020. The lowest value was in 2017, and the highest in 2019, with a fourfold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 590 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 64.0% from the previous year. The peak value was in 2019 at 18 290 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 114.5%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports in value terms to Northern Africa were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Slovenia accounted for 31.8% of imports, Argentina for 9.3%, and Lebanon for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented 49.8% of total import flows.

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

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