Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Russian market for raw bovine and equine hides and skins grew steadily from 18 624 t to 28 502 t. This expansion took place against a backdrop of limited domestic raw material supply, as cattle herds declined. However, consistent demand from tanneries and stable imports from Kazakhstan and Belarus supported consumption.

A sharp acceleration occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping to 45 539 t and reaching 55 706 t in 2023. Western sanctions altered trade patterns: exports of raw hides to the EU fell, while regulatory measures opened alternative markets such as Thailand. At the same time, record live cattle exports exacerbated the domestic hide shortage, prompting increased imports to fill the gap.

The market corrected in 2024, contracting to 41 687 t as imports declined and production softened. By 2025, production had fallen further to 32 405 t, reflecting ongoing supply-side constraints.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2018-2021

World map of production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2018-2021

Russia's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 32 196 tonnes, marking a significant 54.8% increase from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production surged by 94.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Russia exported 913 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, a sharp increase of 437.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 170 tonnes, with the largest decline of 90.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and Poland were the key partners for Russia's exports in kind, accounting for 31.9%, 24.7%, and 14.7% of the total, respectively. Together, they made up 71.3% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export values varied 37 times from the low in 2020 to the high in 2018. In 2021, Russia's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins amounted to 821 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic increase of 834.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 88 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 94.8% also in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Lithuania, Italy, and Poland were the primary destinations for Russia's exports in value terms, with shares of 49.6%, 15.4%, and 14.5%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 79.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Russia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Russia imported 6 497 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, down by 7.9% from the previous year. The minimum volume was 3 472 tonnes in 2019, while the maximum was 7 053 tonnes in 2020. The largest decline of 21.7% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 103.2% was in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan and Belarus were the main sources for Russia's imports in kind, together accounting for 94.0% of total flows, with other partners playing a much smaller role individually.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values varied 2.6 times from the minimum in 2019 to the maximum in 2021. In 2021, Russia imported raw bovine and equine hides and skins worth 1 341 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 39.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 341 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 60.5% that year and the largest increase of 89.2% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2018–2021, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and France were the key destinations for Russia's imports in value terms, with shares of 41.6%, 37.5%, and 12.4%, respectively. Together, they formed 91.6% of total import flows for raw bovine and equine hides and skins.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021